PKL 11: Dabang Delhi probable starting 7 for Pro Kabaddi League season 11

Dabang Delhi had retained their core before the auctions

Dabang Delhi K.C. has set high benchmarks in the Pro Kabaddi League, in the past few years. They managed to qualify for the playoffs in all of the last five seasons. They also won the title in the eighth edition.

Last season, Delhi had a very successful campaign, finishing 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 Patna Pirates.

What was more commendable, was that their ace raider Naveen Kumar only played a total of six matches and was ruled out due to an injury. However, Ashu Malik stepped up, finishing as the joint top scorer in the league, with 276 raid points. The defence did a decent job too.

As a result, a majority of the players from the previous edition have been retained. Here is how the Dabang Delhi, spearheaded by new coach Joginder Narwal, could potentially line up, in their quest for a sixth consecutive playoff appearance and eventually, a second title.

Superstar Raiders

Dabang Delhi unarguably have the most formidable raiding trio in their ranks. They will be led by one of the most prolific raiders in recent times, Naveen Kumar.

The start of Delhi’s upward trajectory coincided with Naveen’s entry into the league in the sixth season. Naveen has scored a total of 1005 raid points in 91 matches, with 63 super tens. Already among the greats in the league, Delhi would be hoping that their main man is fit for the entire season this time.

Their second raider, Ashu Malik is easily capable of leading any raiding unit in the tournament. Despite having to play second fiddle to Naveen in season 9, he scored 141 raid points, before his blockbuster performance last season.

Their third raider, Siddharth Desai, was their best buy at the auction, as he was secured at a price of Rs. 26 lakhs. After setting the mat on fire with 218 raid points in his debut season (season 6) at U Mumba, he has never been able to reach the same heights. A major reason is that he is injury-prone. Last season, he could muster only 82 raid points in 17 matches for the Haryana Steelers.

However, the Baahubali (a title awarded to him as a tribute to his brute power), can wreak havoc on his day, and thus strengthen an already scary-looking raiding unit.

Settled defence

The Dabang Delhi defence will be spearheaded by Yogesh Dahiya. Making his PKL debut last season, the right corner finished with a whopping tally of 77 tackle points in 23 matches and was named the ‘Emerging Player of the Season’.

Another player who made his debut last year, Ashish Malik will return at the position of left corner. He was played ahead of a star player in the form of Vishal Bhardwaj and he justified his selection, scoring 48 tackle points in 19 matches.

Left cover Vikrant Khokar too made his debut last year. He wasn’t able to replicate the performances of his fellow debutants, as he scored 25 tackle points in 18 matches. However, the management has decided to place their faith in him for one more season.

The only new face in the defence will be right-cover Nitin Panwar. Panwar is also a right raider and thus will further bolster their offensive department. The all-rounder is an unknown name in the league and would be wanting to create an immediate impression.

Dabang Delhi’s predicted starting seven for PKL 11:

Raiders – Naveen Kumar, Ashu Malik, Siddharth Desai

Defenders – Yogesh Dahiya (Right Corner), Ashish Malik (Left Corner), Vikrant Khokar (Left Cover)

All Rounder– Nitin Panwar (Right Cover)

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