New Delhi: Pro Kabaddi League season 11 playoffs are set for the last ride of the great tournament. Before the playoffs, PKL legend Anup Kumar expressed his thoughts about who will lift the PKL title this time. According to him, the defence powerless will decide the crowing of the new PKL champion.
Anup was the skipper who led U Mumba to the first glory in PKL season 2. He believed that when PKL started, defenders had little value, but now the stocks of defenders in PKL have been raised. Raiders ruled the initial stage of PKL, but now defenders have also played a significant role in winning the PKL title.
Anup is impressed with the Haryana Steelers’ approach in the ongoing PKL season. Their defenders have been a strong pillar of the team. Mohammadreza Shadloui and Rahul Sethpal did a tremendous job in defence in PKL season 11.
Former champion Mumba’s franchise is fighting for the final spot in the PKL playoffs. Five teams have qualified for the playoffs, and Mumba and Telugu Titans both have 66 points in the table. However, Mumba has one match left in this season to edge past the Titans for the playoffs race.
Anup credited Mumba’s raider Ajit Chauhan’s performance in the raiding department as he is the only raider from his side who is performing well regularly. He also believed that if any raider had supported Ajit, then Mumba would have finished their season in first, second, and third position instead of not fighting for the final spot.
Among the playoff contenders, Kumar has been particularly impressed with the Haryana Steelers’ approach. “The Steelers have impressed the most this season, both their defenders and their raiders… Their defence especially has done tremendous work, whether you talk about (Mohammadreza) Shadloui or Rahul (Sethpal).”
“U Mumba’s performance has been very good after a slow start. Though their start wasn’t great, they’ve improved… If they win their last match, they’ll qualify 100%,” Anup said.
As the final stage is all set for the playoffs, According to Anup’s analysis, the success of the teams in knockout stages will depend on defence powerless and how teams will execute their team plans during the match. The Raiders will decide the fate of the PKL trophy.
PKL legend Anup Kumar believed that defenders will hold the key to crowing champions of PKL 11. Kabaddi Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
