The 5 eye-catchers in India's inaugural Pro-Wrestling League

The biggest names in Indian wrestling will be part of the eventThe last few years have seen a change in the mould of sports in India from being monochromatically focused on staples like cricket and football, the landscape is changing swiftly. From the IPL and the I-league to the nascent-but-healthy Pro Kabaddi League and Hockey India League, change is in the air.In the midst of these better-recognized sports leagues comes something a little left of centre, a major combat sports extravaganza dedicated to one of India’s oldest indigenous sports. The Pro Wrestling League has many firsts in the first Freestyle wrestling league in India, multiple Olympians on the same stage and the first combat sports league with city-based teams. And these are just a few of them.The event is a big nod to Malla Buddha or Khusti, as its called by its Indian exponents and will go a long way in not just promoting the sport alone, but the whole paradigm of sport in India. Apart from granting the athletes who have been toiling in privation some much needed financial augmentation, the progression of the sport itself might augur well for India from an Olympic perspective.With the first just hours away, let’s take a look at some of the things that will grab your attention by the scruff of the neck and keep you fixated to the action

#1 The strongest teams

Yogeshwar is in the Haryana Hammers while Sushil is in Veer Delhi

Strong’s an understatement in this event, considering the calibre of these athletes, and more suited to describing the teams. All six teams have an “Icon player”, who is the flag-bearer of the squad and will be augmented by his or her teammates.

The biggest names in Indian and international freestyle wrestling are part of this event. Some will stand face-to-face, some shoulder-to-shoulder. That being said, the nature of competition warrants crests and troughs representing dominance.

This one is no different, with some teams looking more imposing than others, even on paper. With the likes of world champions like Elif Jale Yesilirmak, Geno Petriashvili, Sofia Matsson and Vinesh Phogat, one wouldn’t be remiss in considering Veer Delhi the frontrunners for the tournament.

The Haryana Hammers and the CDR Punjab Royals look very impressive as well, with the former boasting of Yogeshwar Dutt, Oksana Herhel and Amit Dahiya. The Punjab team is on an even keel with Haryana, with Vasilisa Marzaliuk, Geeta Phogat and Vladimir Khinchegashvili amongst its ranks.

#2 Biggest crowds

With the tickets starting at Rs.50, the turnout shouldn’t be too low

That’s an easy one. The competition will make most of its rounds in the north, with eight matches scheduled in New Delhi, three in Ludhiana and three in Punjab. These three venues skirt the heartland of Indian wrestling, and will most certainly draw the biggest audiences.

Apart from New Delhi, Gurgaon and Ludhiana, there will be matches in Noida and Bangalore as well.

#3 Dark horses of the tournament

Narsingh Pancham Yadav might square off against Sushil Kumar

One of the most anticipated matches will be between veteran grappler and double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar and the only Indian to win a medal at the recently concluded World Championships, Narsingh Pancham Yadav. The latter was a replacement for the former, who pulled out due to injury.

Yadav’s medal means that he has qualified for next year’s Olympics, but since both are in the same weight class, one will have to defer to the other. This mouth-watering clash of Indian juggernauts might leave a few speechless once the final whistle blows.

The other grudge match to watch out for will be Geeta Phogat vs Elif Yesilirmak. The Turkish grappler beat Geeta in the 2015 Worlds and clawed her way to a bronze. Despite the higher credentials, the eldest daughter of India’s wrestling icon will be looking for blood on home ground.

There are a lot of lesser known wrestlers scattered amongst the six teams. While the spotlight will be on the bigger names, their contribution will be indispensable. The European grapplers such as NavruzovI Khtiyor (lost bronze to Sushil Kumar in London 2012) and Davit Modzmanashvili and Cuban standout Livan Lopez Azcuy might be a surprise package.

#4 Celeb power

Sonakshi Sinha is part of the UP franchise

A whole host of celebrities are associated with the event – from Sonakshi Sinha, who is billed as the UP team’s “mascot” to Dharmendra, part owner of the CDR Punjab Royals. Though in its debut, the league has its share of star power.

Virat Kohli is reportedly part owner of the Bangalore team, so while we will see the firebrand invigorating his team, it’s not far-fetched to assume that his lady-love, Anushka Sharma might be cheering from the sidelines too. Rohit Sharma has been named the co-owner of U.P. Warriors which adds more star power to the league.

#5 Most accomplished wrestlers

Sushil Kumar is the biggest name associated with the tournament

There is no dearth of medals at the Pro Wrestling League. Olympians, World champions, Commonwealth champions – the league’s a goldmine, literally. Here’s a sample of the major medal-winners in the competition:

Adeline Gray (USA) – Triple gold medallist in the 2012, 2014 and 2015 World Championships in the women’s 67 & 75 Kg divisions.

Elif Jale Yesilirmak (Sweden) - First ever woman to represent Turkey in the Olympics. Bronze medallist in the 58 Kg division in the 2014 and 2015 World Championships

Sofia Mattsson (Sweden) – Multiple World Championship medals in the Women’s 51 Kg to 59 kg from 2009-2015

Vinesh Phogat – Gold medallist in the Women’s 48 Kg division in the 2014 Commonwealth Games

Geno Petriashvili (Georgia) – Bronze medallist at Men’s 125 Kg in the 2013 and 2015 World Championships

Sushil Kumar – Bronze medallist in the Men’s 66 Kg division in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, silver medallist (66 Kg) in the 2012 London Olympics and gold medallist (66 Kg) in the 2010 World Championships

Babita Kumari – Silver medallist in the Women’s 51 Kg division in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, gold medallist (55 Kg) in the 2014 Commonwealth Games and bronze medallist in the 2012 World Championships

Oksana Herhel (Ukraine) – Gold medallist in the Women’s 60 Kg division in the 2015 World Championships

Yogeshwar Dutt – Bronze medallist in the Men’s 60 Kg division in the 2012 London Olympics, gold medallist in the 2010 (60 Kg) and 2014 (65 Kg) Commonwealth Games

Geeta Phogat – Gold medallist in the Women’s 55 Kg division in the 2010 Commonwealth Games and Silver medallist in the 2012 World Championships