It’s been another blockbuster week at India’s 2nd most-watched Sport and it’s been a week where the steely defensive units of many teams in Pro Kabaddi was tested against some fantastic raiders.
From the return of Fazel Atrachali this week to emerging talents like Jaideep and Rinku holding their own, we’ve had a blockbuster week of Kabaddi action on court, so here are the Best Defenders of Week 3 (until 09-01-2022) from the Pro Kabaddi League:
5. SAURABH NANDAL (Bengaluru Bulls)
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As much as Bengaluru Bulls depend on star raider Pawan Sehrawat, they also need their defense to fire to keep reviving the Hi-Flyer as well as give them the solidity they need and this week saw a true return to form for one of the key men in that defense, Saurabh Nandal on the Right Corner. Nandal picked up 7 tackles points from just 9 tackles in the two games the Bulls played this week and had a major impact on the game.
4. Md. SHADLOUI (Patna Pirates)
Describe Mani-Shadlu’s relationship using an emoji💥
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.#PatnaPirates #PiratesMeriJaan #VivoProKabaddi #Kabaddi #SuperhitPanga pic.twitter.com/WEJcGGXord— Patna Pirates (@PatnaPirates) January 1, 2022
Is this the next Fazel Atrachali??? The young Iranian with the iron-clad Ankle Hold continues to have a stellar debut season in Pro Kabaddi as the left corner defender picked up 8 more tackle points this week for the Patna Pirates and keeps his spot in the top 5 defenders list.
3. FAZEL ATRACHALI (U Mumba)
3⃣0⃣ Minutes ⏰
3⃣ All Outs 🔥How good are the #Mumboys tonight?! 😍#MUMvTT | #UMumba | #MeMumba | #WeAreMumbai | #vivoProKabaddi pic.twitter.com/DNmkOTTgff
— U Mumba (@umumba) January 8, 2022
This week saw the return to form for the “Sultan”, Fazel Atrachali, who finally seemed to express himself in season 8 of Pro Kabaddi and play with the freedom that every U Mumba fan wanted to see from the start of the season. 8 tackle points from 2 games this week combined with the most support/assist tackles means that Fazel is firmly inside the top 3 defenders of the week and as a result, U Mumba too find themselves climbing up the PKL leaderboard.
2. JAIDEEP KULDEEP (Haryana Steelers)
Our 🌟 defender believes that we are ready to take on the U Mumba challenge! 💪#DhummaThaaDenge🔥 #VivoProKabaddi #SuperHitPanga #HSvMUM pic.twitter.com/yOfMwiO268
— Haryana Steelers (@HaryanaSteelers) January 4, 2022
A young man who continues to impress and seem unfazed by the big leagues is Haryana Steelers’ cover defender, Jaideep. A product of the Kabaddi Adda K7 tournament, Jaideep has been rock in the Haryana defense along with veteran Surender Nada and has ensured an unbeaten run in the 3 matches they played this week.
1. RINKU HARI (U Mumba)
Bagging his first-ever #vivoProKabaddi High 🖐️, Rinku has announced himself on the big stage!
Surrender to this @KarbonnSmart 𝙆𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙖𝙡 𝘿𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙊𝙛 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝! 👊🔥#MUMvTT | #UMumba | #MeMumba | #Mumboys | #WeAreMumbai pic.twitter.com/20acKwUnVl
— U Mumba (@umumba) January 8, 2022
Coming into Season 8 of Pro Kabaddi, many fans and Kabaddi followers wondered who would take the place of the beast, Sandeep Narwal, on the right corner for U Mumba and they were concerns when young debutant Rinku Hari stepped out in game 1 of the season. Six games later and those very fans seem to be rejoicing as Rinku has emerged as a force to be reckoned with. 10 tackle points from just 2 games this past week and a lethal combination with Captain Fazel puts him top of the defenders list for this week.
[Data provided by www.kabaddiadda.com]
[Featured Image Credit: Bengaluru Bulls]
Suhail Chandhok
Vertical Head - Sports