Pro Kabaddi League…..
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is a professional kabaddi league in India, launched in 2014 and broadcast on Star Sports. It is the most popular kabaddi league globally and the second most-watched sports league in India, after the Indian Premier League (IPL). Puneri Paltan are the current champions of PKL, having won the 2023-24 season by defeating Haryana Steelers in the final.
The inception of the league was influenced by the popularity of the kabaddi tournament at the 2006 Asian Games. The PKL follows a franchise-based model similar to the IPL, with its first season held in 2014 featuring eight teams, each paying up to US$250,000 to join. Initially, there were doubts about the league’s success, given the fewer well-known kabaddi players compared to cricket. However, kabaddi’s widespread popularity at the grassroots level helped the league attract a diverse audience.
When Best of the Best Compete
The inaugural season of PKL was watched by 435 million viewers, second only to the 2014 IPL’s 552 million. The final match between Jaipur Pink Panthers and U-Mumba drew 86.4 million viewers. In 2015, Star Sports, the league’s broadcaster, announced it would acquire a 74% stake in the league’s parent company, Mashal Sports.
In the 2017 and 2018-19 seasons, PKL expanded by adding four new teams and introduced a two-division “zones” format. However, the league reverted to its regular double round-robin format from the 2019 season. Since its inception, seven different teams have won the championship, with Patna Pirates holding the record for three consecutive titles. Other champions include Jaipur Pink Panthers, U Mumba, Bengaluru Bulls, Bengal Warriors, Dabang Delhi K.C., and Puneri Paltan.
The league operates in a round-robin format during the league phase, where each team plays against every other team twice. The top teams then advance to the playoffs, which consist of eliminators and finals to determine the champion. Additionally, individual awards like the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Best Raider, and Best Defender are given to recognize outstanding performances throughout the season.
Best of the Bests
Here are ten of the top players in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) based on their performances, impact, and achievements:
1. Pardeep Narwal
- Team: UP Yoddhas (formerly Patna Pirates)
- Position: Raider
- Achievements: Known as the “Dubki King,” Pardeep Narwal is the highest point-scorer in PKL history. He has led Patna Pirates to three consecutive titles and holds the record for the most raid points in a single season.
2. Maninder Singh
- Team: Bengal Warriors
- Position: Raider
- Achievements: Maninder Singh has been a consistent performer, leading Bengal Warriors to their maiden title in Season 7. He is known for his powerful raiding and ability to deliver in crucial situations.
3. Rahul Chaudhari
- Team: Jaipur Pink Panthers
- Position: Raider
- Achievements: Rahul Chaudhari, also known as the “Showman,” was the first player to reach 1000 points in PKL history. He has been a key player for Telugu Titans and is known for his agility and raiding skills.
4. Ajay Thakur
- Team: Tamil Thalaivas (formerly with Bengaluru Bulls and Puneri Paltan)
- Position: Raider
- Achievements: Ajay Thakur is famous for his role in the Indian national team’s Kabaddi World Cup win. He has been a consistent performer in PKL, known for his calm demeanor and ability to handle pressure.
5. Deepak Niwas Hooda
- Team: Jaipur Pink Panthers
- Position: All-Rounder
- Achievements: Deepak Niwas Hooda is one of the most versatile players in PKL. He has been a leader on the mat, contributing both in raiding and defense, and has been a key player for several teams.
6. Fazel Atrachali
- Team: U Mumba
- Position: Defender (Left Corner)
- Achievements: Fazel Atrachali is one of the most successful foreign players in PKL history. He is known for his strong defense and has won the “Best Defender” award multiple times.
7. Naveen Kumar
- Team: Dabang Delhi K.C.
- Position: Raider
- Achievements: Naveen Kumar, known as “Naveen Express,” is one of the fastest-rising stars in PKL. He led Dabang Delhi K.C. to their first-ever title in Season 8 and has consistently been among the top raiders.
8. Sandeep Narwal
- Team: U Mumba
- Position: All-Rounder
- Achievements: Sandeep Narwal is known for his aggressive style of play, both in raiding and defense. He is one of the most successful all-rounders in PKL history.
9. Surender Nada
- Team: Haryana Steelers
- Position: Defender (Left Corner)
- Achievements: Surender Nada is known for his solid defense, particularly his ankle holds. He has been a consistent performer and a key defender for Haryana Steelers.
10. Rishank Devadiga
- Team: UP Yoddhas
- Position: Raider
- Achievements: Rishank Devadiga is known for his smart raiding and ability to score in crucial situations. He has been a key player for UP Yoddhas and has also captained the team.
These players have left a significant impact on the league and are celebrated for their contributions to the sport.Here are ten of the top players in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) based on their performances, impact, and achievements:
1. Pardeep Narwal
- Team: UP Yoddhas (formerly Patna Pirates)
- Position: Raider
- Achievements: Known as the “Dubki King,” Pardeep Narwal is the highest point-scorer in PKL history. He has led Patna Pirates to three consecutive titles and holds the record for the most raid points in a single season.
2. Maninder Singh
- Team: Bengal Warriors
- Position: Raider
- Achievements: Maninder Singh has been a consistent performer, leading Bengal Warriors to their maiden title in Season 7. He is known for his powerful raiding and ability to deliver in crucial situations.
3. Rahul Chaudhari
- Team: Jaipur Pink Panthers
- Position: Raider
- Achievements: Rahul Chaudhari, also known as the “Showman,” was the first player to reach 1000 points in PKL history. He has been a key player for Telugu Titans and is known for his agility and raiding skills.
4. Ajay Thakur
- Team: Tamil Thalaivas (formerly with Bengaluru Bulls and Puneri Paltan)
- Position: Raider
- Achievements: Ajay Thakur is famous for his role in the Indian national team’s Kabaddi World Cup win. He has been a consistent performer in PKL, known for his calm demeanor and ability to handle pressure.
5. Deepak Niwas Hooda
- Team: Jaipur Pink Panthers
- Position: All-Rounder
- Achievements: Deepak Niwas Hooda is one of the most versatile players in PKL. He has been a leader on the mat, contributing both in raiding and defense, and has been a key player for several teams.
6. Fazel Atrachali
- Team: U Mumba
- Position: Defender (Left Corner)
- Achievements: Fazel Atrachali is one of the most successful foreign players in PKL history. He is known for his strong defense and has won the “Best Defender” award multiple times.
7. Naveen Kumar
- Team: Dabang Delhi K.C.
- Position: Raider
- Achievements: Naveen Kumar, known as “Naveen Express,” is one of the fastest-rising stars in PKL. He led Dabang Delhi K.C. to their first-ever title in Season 8 and has consistently been among the top raiders.
8. Sandeep Narwal
- Team: U Mumba
- Position: All-Rounder
- Achievements: Sandeep Narwal is known for his aggressive style of play, both in raiding and defense. He is one of the most successful all-rounders in PKL history.
9. Surender Nada
- Team: Haryana Steelers
- Position: Defender (Left Corner)
- Achievements: Surender Nada is known for his solid defense, particularly his ankle holds. He has been a consistent performer and a key defender for Haryana Steelers.
10. Rishank Devadiga
- Team: UP Yoddhas
- Position: Raider
- Achievements: Rishank Devadiga is known for his smart raiding and ability to score in crucial situations. He has been a key player for UP Yoddhas and has also captained the team.
These players have left a significant impact on the league and are celebrated for their contributions to the sport.
