It’s that time of the year when a fierce Indian sport takes control of the sports channels across India.
The Pro Kabaddi League, which debuted on our TV screens in 2014, is back with its latest addition. The seventh season starts happening on 20 July in Hyderabad. The tournament which will be played over three months has removed the zonal format and has opted for more straightforward home and away match-ups for the 12 teams. Let’s have a look at the favorite teams (on media) who are ready to take Panga once again. Here are the teams…
Bengaluru Bulls
The defending champions are the epitome of stability. They are here to give the other teams nightmares on the court. They will be one of the feared contenders to watch this season as they haven’t altered too much with the winning formula. They have got an experienced coach Randhir Singh, who has been with the team since its beginning. Bengaluru Bulls have kept their leading raiders, Pawan Kumar Sehrawat and Rohit Kumar and brought back their main defender Mahender Singh through ‘Final Bid Match’ during the auction.
Patna Pirates
Patna Pirates disappointed us in the last season but it is difficult to keep the three-time champions out of debate. Or should I say it is difficult to keep any team with Pardeep Narwal out of discussion.
The Pirates will once again be dependent on Jaideep to provide stability in defense. He has fought greatly for the team, scoring 58 tackle points, last season and is easily their best. He needs to have a rapport with Hadi Oshtorak, who was with Patna during their title tilts in season 3 and 4. Though the Iranian right corner has the experience, he hasn’t quite lived up to the pricing in Pro Kabaddi so far.
Gujarat Fortunegiants
Gujarat has been part of Pro Kabaddi only the last two seasons, but they have reached to the finals both the times. The coach who had led Patna to their first title in 2016 Manpreet Singh, is triaining Gujrat Team this year. Manpreet had moulded a young team into a bunch of match-winners during Gujarat’s first Pro Kabaddi Legue outing in 2017 and continued with the success in season 6 as well.
Telugu Titans
There are two reasons why Telugu Titans will start as one of the most celebrated teams this season: Siddharth Desai and Gholamreza Mazandarani.
At this year’s auction, Telugu exchanged one of their most stable stars (Rahul Chaudhari) for the more recent. The Telugu Titans have a very strong defensive team with Vishal Bharadwaj, one of the most impressive defenders, standing in the left corner, Abozar Mighani in the right corner and Farhad Milaghardan taking over the right covers. Also there are two Irani defenders in the team, and those who have worked with him before in the national team, might make Mazandarani’s job easy.
Have a look at the trailer here..