Season 8 of Pro Kabaddi is almost at the halfway stage and we’ve seen some incredibly strategic Kabaddi on display with more tied games than ever before, with much of that down to the immense quality of defenders on the mat this season. It’s not just experience defenders counting however so here at Man’s Life, with a little data support from our friends at www.KabaddiAdda.com we bring you the Top 5 Defenders at Pro Kabaddi (week ending 16th January).
5. PARVESH BHAINSWAL (Gujarat Giants): 2 Matches – 9 tackle points
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A return to form for Parvesh Bhainswal has meant a lift in spirits and form for the two-time runners up the Gujarat Giants too. In what’s been a torrid season so far for Coach Manpreet Singh and his men, the past week has seen one of the coveted cover combination of Parvesh-Sunil return to the devastating tackles we’ve gotten used to in seasons gone by, and that gives every Giants fan hope heading into the business end of the season.
4. NEERAJ KUMAR (Patna Pirates): 2 Matches – 10 tackle points
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Patna Pirates in the post-Pardeep Narwal era have become the ideal TEAM and their defenders are a testament to the work ethic and scouting from the coaching staff too. From being about one man, the 3-time Champions are now the best defensive outfit in the league averaging over 12 tackle points per game and Neeraj Kumar in the cover defence has been one of the most consistent forces in the unit.
3. SAGAR (Tamil Thalaivas): 2 Matches – 10 points
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From being wooden spooners since their entrance into Pro Kabaddi, the Tamil Thalaivas in Season 8 are a force to reckon with and a lot of that comes down to their iron-clad defence with Sagar manning the corner. Along with Captain, Surjeet Singh, this young man has provided the impetus with 10 points in the 2 matches the team played last week.
2. SAHUL KUMAR (Jaipur Pink Panthers): 2 Matches – 12 tackle points
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Jaipur Pink Panthers have had a rough few seasons since their inaugural title-winning campaign back in 2014 but some of that old form seems to have re-surfaced in Season 8 with their raiding duo of Deepak Niwas Hooda and Arjun Deshwal firing and this man, Sahul Kumar in rampaging form on the right corner. With 12 points over the last week in just 2 games, the Jaipur Pink Panthers are charging towards the top and peaking at the right time.
1. SURJEET SINGH (Tamil Thalaivas): 2 Matches – 13 tackle points
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When you have two defenders in the Top 5 list, you know you’re heading in the right direction as a team. Surjeet Singh has led from the front all season long for the Tamil Thalaivas and yet again in Week 4, he surged to the top of the defender’s list averaging 6.5 tackles per game with an incredible tackle strike rate of 100% to go with it.
[Featured Image Credit: Tamil Thalaivas]
Suhail Chandhok
Vertical Head - Sports