Pro Kabaddi League: 5 players who faded away after good starts

Kabaddi is one of the most thrilling and exciting games originated in India, and has seen a big resurgence in popularity in recent years. This game was revived by the advent of the Pro Kabaddi League.

While many players have risen to fame in millions of fans watching the cash-rich league, there are some who could not maintain the consistency in their performances. Here, we take a look at the five such players who failed to perform and replicate their form.

Rajesh Narwal

The former Jaipur Pink Panthers all-rounder was bought by the new entrant U.P. Yoddha to bolster the squad. But, he had a season to forget as he could manage to garner only 27 points from the 16 games he played. For a player of his calibre, who almost scaled 80 points every season, his form has declined very badly.

UP Yoddha acquired him for Rs 69 lakh, making him the 5th most expensive player bought at the auction. Out of the 58 tackles he attempted, he could only make 15 successful ones. He failed to make it to the squad and warmed the benches in the latter part of the season. Narwal would definitely look to improve his form and come back stronger.

Sukesh Hegde

The Gujarat Fortunegiants raider had a season to forget, except his captaincy. Being called the do-or-die specialist during his time at Telugu Titans, he has become the master of empty raids. For a player of his height and skills, he was considered one of the best raiders in the league. He failed to perform to his potential and live up to the expectations.

After being bought by the Gujarat Fortunegiants for Rs 31.5 lakh, he was appointed as the captain. However, Hegde couldn't replicate his past season's form and managed only 77 points. He would look to perform better as a captain as well as a raider in the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League season.

Rakesh Kumar

Rakesh Kumar was the most expensive player in the first season, after Patna Pirates picked him up for Rs 12 lakh. Last season, the Telugu Titans bought him for Rs 45 lakh. He is a very compatible player and can play in any position and perform well. The 2014 Asian Games Gold Medalist was no longer in his best form and couldn't guide the team properly.

He managed to score only 23 points from the 10 games he played, and the tackles he attempted were mostly unsuccessful. Being the most capped player for India, he is highly regarded among the Kabaddi community. For the most part of the season, however, he found himself in the dugout. He would hope to come back to form and guide the team in the upcoming season.

Nitin Madane

The 2014 Asian Games Gold Medalist had a very disappointing season, playing for U Mumba. The 29-year-old was bought by three-time finalists U Mumba to support Anup Kumar and Shabeer Bapu. However, he lost his place in the side to Shrikant Jadhav, who showcased both his raiding and defending skills.

He did not feature in the second and third seasons of the pro kabaddi league but was bought back by Bengal Warriors to replicate his form of the first season. However, he could not turn the tables for U Mumba.

Having scored 107 points from the 12 games, he played in the first season. However, he only managed to score 13 points from the same 12 games the following year. This shows his decline in form and he would hope to change it.

Ravi Dalal

Being the most underrated raider from the first season, he was never in the limelight. The former Patna Pirates star raider Ravi Dalal failed to replicate his form of the first season. Being an injury-prone player, after the first season he lost his magic touch and gradually declined as a player over the years.

He was the top scorer for the Patna Pirates in the first season and scored a mammoth 111 points. Known for his great bonus-snatching skills and escaping from defenders with ease, these skills have become a thing of past for Dalal. He would surely look to rectify his mistakes and be in the midst of things.

Asian Games 2018: Anup Kumar, Manjeet Chhillar not included in India's list of probables

It is not yeat clear whether Anup Kumar has unofficially retired from the international scene.

Image Source From Google

In what comes as yet another shock, living legend and captain of the Indian kabaddi team, Anup Kumar has once again been excluded from the list of 42 probables for the 2018 Asian Games.

The players, who are currently undergoing a training camp in Haryana will travel to Jakarta, Indonesia ahead of the tournament, which begins on August 18. This is not the first time that U Mumba captain Anup has been dropped from the squad.

Back in November, Sportskeeda had reported about his exclusion from the squad for the Asian Championship, which India eventually ended up winning by beating Pakistan in the final. It's not yet clear though if Kumar has unofficially retired from the international stage or is his unimpressive form, or maybe even an injury is the reason for this.

Anup, who finished the first season 1 as the best raider in the league, found it difficult to impose his authority in the last campaign. He finished the tournament with just 112 points in 21 games. Will the Indian team miss his leadership skills? The answer to that question will only unfold with time.

Among the veterans, Manjeet Chhillar and Jasvir Singh were also dropped, thus raising the question - are the selectors doing away with the old guard and pinning their hopes on the younger players?

Here is the complete list of 42 probables, who are currently part of the selection process and camp in Haryana. Only a handful of these players will make the final cut.

List of Probables: Manoj Kumar, Parvesh, Amit Nagar, Darshan, Ashish Sangwan, Sandeep Narwal, Surender Nada, Ajay Thakur, Vishal Bhardwaj, Mohit Chhillar, Rajesh Monda, Vikash Khandola, Nitesh B.R, Prapanjan, Prashant Rai, Sukesh Hegde, Girish Ernak, Nilesh Salunke, Rishank Devadiga, Sachin Shingade, Vikas Kale, Mahesh Gaud, Manoj, Maninder Singh, Deepak Niwas Hooda, Kamal, Rajulal Chaudhary, Sachin Tanwar, Wazir Singh, Jaideep, Monu Goyat, Nitesh, Nitin Tomar, Rohit Kumar, Surjeet, Surjeet Singh, Ranjeet Chandrarn, Gangadar, Abhishek Singh, Rahul Chaudhari. Nitin Rawal and Pardeep Narwal.

Asian Games 2018: Ajay Thakur, U Mumba coach Bhaskaran react to Anup and Manjeet being dropped from Indian probables

India's current captain, Ajay Thakur feels it's time for young players to shine

Image Source From Google

Kabaddi fans were left in shock today morning after realising that two living legends, Anup Kumar and Manjeet Chhillar were dropped from the Indian national team ahead of their preparations for the Asian Games which is set to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia.

A total of 42 players have been called for the camp in Haryana but Anup and Manjeet did not make the cut. The selectors have called upon the services of several young players while the experienced campaigners have been largely ignored.

Current captain of the Indian national team, Ajay Thakur spoke exclusively to Sportskeeda about the Federation's decision to drop Anup and Manjeet. He isn't surprised by their choice whatsoever. He also suggested that it is natural for older players to give way to the younger lot.

"This is not even a question about them not being in the squad. This is the rule of nature. Everybody takes someone's place. The federation has selected the players they like, the fit players," he said.

"Tomorrow even we will move out of the team, and younger players will replace us. Look at Sachin Tendulkar. Is he in the (cricket) team now? Whoever plays has to leave at some point. Maybe they (the federation) felt that they (Anup and Manjeet) have played a lot and we need new kids in the team. Life works like this," he explains.

Asked if Anup and Manjeet have retired from the national side, Ajay refused to comment on it, stating that he is not aware of it and hasn't been in touch with either of them. He also pointed to the fact that the competition for places in the Indian side is intense.

"I do know not, I have not spoken to them. Look at Pardeep Narwal, how can anyone replace him now? And even Sachin from Gujarat FortuneGiants," he said.


Asked if he will once again captain the side at the upcoming Asian Games, which will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, Ajay said, "That is not in my control, I don't know who will captain the side."

U Mumbai coach, Bhaskaran Edachery, also spoke to Sportskeeda and suggested that it's time to move on and focus on the new generation of players who he feels are an extremely talented bunch.

Bhaskaran also revealed that Jaipur Pink Panthers captain, Manjeet was injured recently and has not been in prime form, which could possibly explain his exclusion.

"How long can the older players play? The younger guys are playing better than the old generation. Look at Pardeep Narwal, Rahul Chaudhari and Ajay Thakur. Manjeet has always been a top player, but he suffered from a slight injury recently and has not been in form."

Asked if Anup and Manjeet have retired from the game, the veteran coach replied in the negative, stating that it's too soon for them to hang up their boots. Anup will turn 35 this year in November while Manjeet will turn 32 in August.

"No, they haven't retired. They will continue to play, this is not the time for them to retire. Only the in form players are part of the national team. Only India's top players will make the cut, nobody's name is reserved in the national team," Bhaskaran signed off.