PKL 10: Jaipur Pink Panthers retain Arjun Deshwal and many other stars ahead of auction

Defending champions backed their best performers from the last season.

Prior to the 10th season auction of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL 10), all teams have unveiled lists of retained and released players. A total of 84 players have been held back across three categories. In the Elite Retained Players section, 22 players remained, whereas 24 players were retained under the Young Players category, and 38 were kept in the New Young Players category. Noteworthy names like Pawan Sehrawat, Vikash Kandola, and Fazel Atrachali have been let go.

Even the defending champions, Jaipur Pink Panthers, have opted to hold onto important players while bidding farewell to a few. They have the highest count of six retained players in the Elite Retained Players category. However, no players from the Young Players category were kept, and the team held onto 4 players in the New Young Players category. Overall, Jaipur Pink Panthers have reaffirmed their faith in their core players by retaining 10 players.

Here’s the lineup of retained players for the Jaipur Pink Panthers:

Elite Retained Players:

Sunil Kumar– The captain of the defending champions Jaipur Pink Panthers, has been retained. He played a pivotal role in securing the team’s title last season, amassing 64 tackle points in 23 matches and guiding Jaipur to their second championship win after 2014.

V. Ajit Kumar– Ajith alongside Arjun Deshwal, delivered a commendable performance during the 9th PKL season. With 103 points in 21 matches, his crucial input contributed significantly to the team’s championship victory, resulting in his retention.

Reza Meehrabakhsh– The Iranian defender, participated in 16 matches last season, accruing 36 points. His valuable PKL experience prompted Jaipur to keep him onboard, reinforcing their defensive capabilities.

Bhavani Rajput– A promising young raider, proved his worth in the raiding department. Known for his ability to score crucial points, he garnered 36 points in 14 matches during the 9th PKL season. Effective as a substitute, he has been retained for the upcoming season.

Arjun Deshwal– The team’s standout raider, Arjun Deshwal, continues to be a part of Jaipur. Over the past two seasons, he established himself as a star player, leading the raiding chart with an impressive total of 296 points in the previous season. His proficiency in Do-or-Die raids kept him ahead of other raiders.

Sahul Kumar– who specialized in the right corner, secured 57 points in 24 matches. He emerged as one of the team’s top defenders, contributing crucial points on multiple occasions. His presence significantly fortified the team’s defense.

New Young Players:

Ankush – The 9th season of PKL marked Ankush’s debut season, but despite that, he proved to be the league’s best defender. He played a total of 24 matches and during this time, he earned the most 89 tackle points and also executed the most 9 high-fives. Once again, the team has shown confidence in him.

With a strategic retention of key players across categories, Jaipur Pink Panthers have solidified their foundation, positioning themselves as strong contenders for the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League season.

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