Down memory lane: Looking back at PKL Season 6

Bengaluru Bulls became the champions of the sixth edition of the Pro Kabaddi League.

The Pro Kabaddi League season 6 found a new champion after Patna Pirates won the title in three previous seasons (3,4, and 5). Many records had been created and broken with one of the rarest being a foreign coach leading a franchise. Gholamreza Mazandarai from Iran was the head coach of the season 2 champions U Mumba with Fazel Athrachali leading the side after representing Patna Pirates in the previous seasons. The name of Gujarat Fortune Giants finished as runner-up for the second consecutive season this time losing to champions Bengaluru Bulls. 

Bengaluru Bulls coach Randhir Singh Sehrawat has produced many players before and this time it was Pawan Sehrawat who scored the most raid points in season 6. Pawan was with Gujarat Fortune Giants in season 5 but it was in season 6 he made full use of his opportunity and led the team to its maiden PKL title. Anup Kumar after representing U Mumba for the first five seasons was brought by Jaipur Pink Panthers.

Auctions

26 foreign players were selected across 12 franchises with each team selecting two players. Telugu Titans were the only side to buy three foreign players with all three from Iran. InterestinglySouth Korea had the largest participation (9) followed by Iran (8), Kenya(3), Bangladesh(3), Nepal (2), and Thailand(1).

Six players for the first time in the history of PKL had crossed the one-crore mark. Monu Goyat was the costliest buy amongst all and was sold to Haryana Steelers for 1.51 crores. Rishank Devadiga (UP Yoddha - 1.1 crores), Fazel Athrachali (U Mumba - 1 crore), Rahul Chaudhari (Telugu Titans - 1.29 crores), Nitin Tomar (Puneri Paltan - 1.15 crores), and Deepak Niwas Hooda (Jaipur Pink Panthers - 1.15 crores) were the costliest buys. Fazel Athrachali became the first foreign player to cross the one-crore mark.

Top Raiders

Pawan Kumar Sehrawat

Matches - 24 | Raid Points - 271

Pawan Sehrawat was one of the finds of PKL 6 winning the orange band. He got to prove himself only in the sixth season although he was part of a few franchises previously. He also went on to guide Bengaluru Bulls to their maiden PKL title. Randhir Singh Sehrawat was the only coach to guide a PKL team for six consecutive seasons.

Pardeep Narwal

Matches - 21 | Raid Points - 233

Pardeep Narwal’s performance dipped a bit compared it the previous season. The kind of expectations he had set was very high in season 5 but still, the raider scored the second most raid points.The dubki king scored the most number of super 10s.

Siddharth Desai

Matches - 21 | Raid Points - 218

Siddharth Desai was playing his debut in the league and represented U Mumba. He became the fastest player to get to the 200 raid points (19 matches) a record held till season 9. There were not many star raiders available but Siddhart took the onus upon himself and scored points. Legend Anup Kumar left U Mumba after representing the franchise for the first five seasons.

Top Defenders

Nitesh Kumar

Matches - 25 | Tackle Points - 100

Nitesh Kumar became the first defender to get to the 100 tackle points mark a record which has not been broken yet. He played a vital role in UP Yoddhas qualifying for the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

Parvesh Bainswal

Matches - 25 | Tackle Points - 86

Parvesh Bainswal the right cover defender from Gujarat Fortune Giants formed a good combo with Sunil Kumar from the left cover which was instrumental in Gujarat making it to the playoffs for a second consecutive season. 

Fazel Athrachali

Matches - 23 | Tackle Points - 83

Fazel Athrachali the Iranian after shifting sides from Patna Pirates continued to perform in a similar fashion finishing in the top 5 in the tackle points chart.

Super 10s

1. Pardeep Narwal - 15

2. Pawan Kumar - 13

3. Siddharth Desai - 12

High 5s

1. Nitesh Kumar - 8

2. Mahender Singh - 6

3. Fazel Athrachali - 6