PKL: Top three players fastest to reach 250 tackle points in Pro Kabaddi League

Mohammadreza Shadloui topped the elite list during PKL 10.

Many might define Kabaddi as a sport in the way that Raiders go to the opponent’s side of the mat in search of touch and how they need to escape to be successful in the Raid. But it is the defenders who define the fate of the game. While the raiders have impressed with their stunning raiding techniques, the defenders have proven over the ten years of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) that they are a formidable foe.

Individuals such as Manjeet Chhillar and Sandeep Narwal have established themselves in the game. Veterans like Surjeet Singh and Fazel Atrachali are still going strong because they have established themselves as some of the greatest tacklers in the world. With many new youngsters coming into the game, records are broken every day, and here’s a look at the players who were quickest to 250 Tackle points.

Mohammadreza Chiyaneh – 63 Matches

Records are meant to be broken but Mohammadreza Chiyaneh is not only breaking them but also creating a new Everest which would need another Himalayan effort to break it. The Iranian has established himself as a dangerous defender in just two seasons. With 89 tackle points in the eighth season and 84 points in the most recent one, he was ranked as the second-best defender.

The 30-year-old has continued where he left off from the previous season, giving Pune the most versatile defense. His position in the left corner has put every Raider who steps onto the mat at risk. He has amassed 78 points this season in just 19 games. He became the fastest to 250 tackle points in just 63 matches. With the form he is in, he could end up scoring a century of tackle points this season.

Manjeet Chillar – 76 Matches

Every Kabaddi team who has watching PKL for the past decade must have become a fan of Mighty Manjeet Chillar at least once. Such is the aura he carries on the mat, as he leads from the front no matter the state of the game. His versatility against different opponents and his adaptability in different corner or cover positions made him one of the finest defenders of all time.

He was awarded the best defender award in the inaugural season of PKL and was the most valuable player in the second edition. He became the first player to reach 250 tackle points when he achieved the feat in season six playing for Tamil Thalaivas. Until he hung up his boots, he was successful in halting the Raiders on the mat and also stopped other defenders from claiming his numero uno spot.

Nitesh Kumar – 79 Matches

The defining thing of these leagues is that they give the platform for raw talents to excel on the big stage. And one of the talents that was unearthed when PKL was expanded in season five to become a 12-team event, is Nitesh Kumar. He has been the pillar that guarded the Yoddhas’ defense in the Right corner.

Nitesh scored 42 points in his debut season and in the next season, he was unstoppable as he became the first defender ever to score 100 tackle points in a season. He went on to represent Team India in 2016 and won the World Cup in the same year. He was the then-second fastest wot 250 tackle points as he achieved the feat in 79 matches. Although his form dipped in this season, he will bounce back next season.

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