PKL 11 team profile: Dabang Delhi strengths & weaknesses

Delhi have retained their core from the previous season.

Things have gone just as the Dabang Delhi K.C. wanted, for the last few seasons. After struggling to make a mark in the first five seasons, things changed drastically for them with the entry of Naveen Kumar into the side. They have qualified for the playoffs in every edition, right from the sixth to the tenth season.

The Delhi-based franchise finished runners-up in the seventh season, losing to the Bengal Warriorz in the final. They got redemption in the very next season, clinching their first-ever title, dramatically defeating the Patna Pirates by a solitary point in the final.

Last season, they finished third in the table with 79 points. They had managed to secure 13 wins in 22 matches. However, they bowed out in the eliminator, losing by a margin of just two points to the Pirates. What was commendable, was that Naveen got ruled out due to an injury mid-way through the tournament. However, Ashu Malik, supported by a young defence, stepped up as the team brilliantly overcame the body blow they had suffered.

Strengths

The biggest strength for the Dabang Delhi is the presence of two raiders, who are not only big names but also bring variety.

Naveen Kumar is now an Indian international. He has already established himself as a superstar at Delhi, with 1005 raid points in just 91 matches. He will be ably supported by Ashu Malik, who finished joint top in the list of most raid points last season, scoring 276 raid points. Both are right raiders and are known for having quick feet.

The Dabang Delhi also have Yogesh Dahiya in their ranks, who was awarded the title of the ‘Emerging Player of the Season’ last time, scoring 77 tackle points in 23 points. They have two solid options in the left corner: Ashish (48 tackle points in 19 matches last season) and the experienced Rinku Narwal.

They also have in their ranks a number of all-rounders in the form of Brijendra Chaudhary, Md. Baba Ali, Ashish Narwal, and Nitin Panwar. These multi-faceted players can score points both in offense and defense.

The team does look strong, with a lot of positive momentum on their side. Having qualified for the playoffs in each of the previous five seasons, they will back themselves do so once more.

Weaknesses

While Delhi’s raiding trio is unarguably the most formidable one in the competition, they will need to ensure proper man-management. Each of the three raiders needs to be allotted a proper role, or else it could be counterproductive.

The team’s defensive line-up is inexperienced. While Yogesh and Ashish found success last time, it will be interesting to see if the second-season syndrome affects them.

Their cover pairing could be one of the weakest in the league. Left cover Vikrant Khokar just scored 25 tackle points in 18 matches, last season. Their right cover could be Nitin Panwar, who hasn’t had much of an impact in the league.

Opportunities

This is a big opportunity for two raiders. Ashu had set the mat on fire last time. Hence, he will have a much bigger role and get more raids this time. Siddharth was in the 1Cr club last year, but his final bid amount is now less than one-fourth of that. He will be looking for redemption in a team where he can now play freely, without worrying about being the lead raider.

It is also a chance for the young defence, especially Yogesh and Ashish, to prove that they are not one-season wonders, but players who are going to compete in the toughest kabaddi league in the world, for a long time to come.

The team’s new coach Joginder Narwal has an opportunity to continue the team’s good run. The defender has had truckloads of success as a defender and now has a chance to lead a young team to glory.

Threats

The biggest threat for Dabang Delhi will be the fitness of Naveen and Siddharth. Naveen could play only six matches last season, before getting ruled out. Previously too, he has had issues with his knee, and he will be hoping that he can play the entirety of the season this time.

The one reason Siddharth has not been able to join the league of Naveen, Pawan Sehrawat, and Arjun Deshwal, has been his injury-prone body. Last season, he scored just 82 raid points in 17 matches for the Haryana Steelers. Siddharth would be hoping that he finally gets the breakout season he desperately needs.

The young defence will have its task cut out. If things don’t go according to plan for Delhi in this department, they don’t have many backup players and things could go haywire.

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