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Defending is clearly one of the most important aspects in kabaddi, and several matches have been won on the strength of a sturdy backline alone. While the raiders usually walk away with most of the limelight and the glory, it is the defenders who toil away thanklessly, stitching together wins for their team without too much fanfare.But the defenders deserve every bit of the credit that is accorded to the raiders. In that spirit, here's a look at the top 5 defenders from the second season of the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi:
#5 Surender Nada
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The U Mumba defender scored 41 points in the second season of the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi to ensure that his team ended up lifting the title at the end of the 5-week tournament. Scoring 39 tackle points and conjuring up 2 super tackles, the 28-year-old made sure that he made the top 5 defenders list yet again – he had even scored 48 points in the first season. He also created the record for most tackle points by scoring 10 in his team's semi-final win over Patna Pirates.
#4 Dharmaraj Cheralathan
The oldest player in the league, like wine, got better as time progressed. In the second season, the Bengaluru Bulls defender started slowly, but improved gradually, ending the season like a man possessed as he carried his team to the final.
Improving from his performance in the inaugural edition (39 points), the 40-year-old scored 42 points this time, which included 1 super tackle. Anna, as he is fondly called, even stepped up to raid when his team needed, scoring 19 raid points.
#3 Mohit Chhillar
After the second season, U Mumba captain Anup Kumar singled out Mohit Chhillar as the man who was the key to the team's success. This claim was not unfounded as, with 42 points, Mohit stormed into every top defenders' list in season 2.
In the inaugural season as well, the defender ably supported experienced players like Jeeva Kumar and Vishal Mane by scoring 42 points. The 22-year-old has been hailed as one to watch out for the future, and if he maintains his upward curve, Mohit will be the man to watch out for in season 3.
#2 Sandeep Kandola
The 18-year-old Telugu Titans defender belied his age to deliver in crunch situations, helping his team get out of trouble on more occasion than one. Scoring 59 points in tackles and coming up with 4 super tackles, the teenager registered his name among the best defenders of the tournament.
Despite missing the first season, Sandeep did not take time to acclimatise to the rigours of the tournament. He settled in very quickly to repeatedly stop raiders from returning to their half by using his strength to the maximum.
#1 Ravinder Pahal
The Dabang Delhi captain is known for his superb ankle hold and he, along with Kashiling Adake, carried the team's challenge till the end, which saw the team finish 6th in the table. It is further testament to the defender that despite not qualifying for the playoffs, he was awarded the best defender of the tournament award.
The 24-year-old took over the captaincy from Jasmer Gulia for the second season and led from the front to edge out experienced campaigners like Bengaluru Bull's Dharmaraj Cheralathan for the top defender award after amassing 60 points (including 7 super tackles) in the season.
