PKL 11: All captains for Pro Kabaddi 2024

Fazel Atrachali, Pardeep Narwal, and Sunil Kumar are all set to make their mark in PKL 11, starting on October 18.

The 11th season of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL 11) returns this week with renewed excitement among fans across India. This season, the league returned to its traditional three-city format, with matches being held in Hyderabad, Noida, and Pune. The opening leg kicks off in Hyderabad at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, where Telugu Titans will face Bengaluru Bulls on October 18.

As the 12 participating teams finalize their preparations, all franchises have announced their captains for PKL 11. Notably, only five teams retained their previous captains, while the remaining seven introduced new leaders to spearhead their campaigns. Here’s a look at the captains for all the teams:

Bengal Warriorz – Fazel Atrachali

Fazel Atrachali, the Iranian stalwart, has been appointed as the captain of Bengal Warriorz for PKL 11. Atrachali is one of the most recognizable names in Pro Kabaddi history. With over 494 points from 169 matches, Fazel brings a wealth of experience to the Bengal squad. His leadership skills, coupled with his incredible on-mat awareness, make him a crucial asset for Warriorz as they look to challenge for the title. Additionally, Atrachali is one of the rare defenders to have won the “Defender of the Tournament” award more than once.

Pairing up with the top raider, Maninder Singh, Fazel Atrachali will aim to form a formidable duo on the mat. His ability to lead from the front and inspire his teammates will be key in guiding the Warriorz to success. Known for his high tackle success rate and impeccable timing in executing tackles, Fazel will be the cornerstone of Bengal’s defense. 

Bengaluru Bulls – Pardeep Narwal

Pardeep Narwal, often referred to as the “Dubki King,” has been named captain of the Bengaluru Bulls for PKL 11. The most prolific raider in Pro Kabaddi history, Pardeep has amassed an astonishing 1690 raid points in 170 matches.

Despite a challenging PKL 10 season with UP Yoddhas, where he managed 122 raid points in 17 matches, Bengaluru Bulls are placing their faith in the legendary raider to lead their campaign. Pardeep’s vast experience, including three PKL titles with Patna Pirates, makes him an excellent choice for the captaincy.

Returning to the team where his journey in Pro Kabaddi began, Pardeep Narwal’s leadership will play a vital role in shaping Bengaluru’s chances this season. 

Dabang Delhi KC – Naveen Kumar and Ashu Malik

Dabang Delhi KC have taken an interesting approach for PKL 11, appointing co-captains Naveen Kumar and Ashu Malik. Naveen Kumar has been a revelation for Delhi, consistently delivering stellar performances. With over 1005 raid points in just 91 matches, Naveen is one of the top raiders in PKL history. His quick footwork and aggressive raiding style have made him a fan favourite, and his leadership qualities are expected to elevate Delhi’s game this season.

Ashu Malik, who stepped up as captain when Naveen was injured last season, has also been handed the captaincy mantle alongside him. Ashu finished PKL 10 as the league’s highest-scoring raider, with 276 raid points, proving his ability to lead from the front. 

Gujarat Giants – Neeraj Kumar

The Gujarat Giants have officially named Neeraj Kumar as the captain for Season 11 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). The team, based in Ahmedabad, has also appointed all-rounder Guman Singh as vice-captain. Neeraj, who previously led the Patna Pirates in PKL 10, brings a wealth of experience to the Giants.

Since starting his PKL journey in 2019, he has participated in 80 matches and accumulated 174 points. Known for his strength and skills as a defender, Neeraj boasts an impressive not-out percentage of 88.64% and a tackle success rate of 38%. His leadership will be crucial for the Giants as they aim for success in the upcoming season.

Haryana Steelers – Jaideep Dahiya

Haryana Steelers have placed their faith in Jaideep Dahiya as their captain for PKL 11. The star defender has been an integral part of the Steeler’s defense in recent seasons, showcasing incredible consistency with his tackling abilities. Known for his defensive style, Jaideep has made a name for himself as one of the top defenders in the league. His leadership on the mat, coupled with his tactical understanding of the game, makes him the ideal captain for the Haryana Steelers.

Jaipur Pink Panthers – Arjun Deshwal

Jaipur Pink Panthers have entrusted their star raider, Arjun Deshwal, with the captaincy for PKL 11. Deshwal has been a consistent performer for Jaipur since joining in Season 8, and his stellar raiding performances have earned him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in PKL 9. 

With 296 raid points that season, Arjun played a pivotal role in leading Jaipur to the title. Taking over the reins in PKL 11, Arjun Deshwal will be aiming to guide Jaipur to another title. His sharp raiding skills and ability to break through defenses make him one of the most feared raiders in the league. 

Patna Pirates – Shubham Shinde

Shubham Shinde has been appointed captain of the Patna Pirates for PKL 11, bringing a wealth of experience as a versatile Right Corner defender. Known for his ability to lead by example, Shubham’s leadership will be crucial in guiding the team back to their winning ways. In Season 10, he played 22 matches, scoring 67 points, primarily through his defensive skills. 

Although his attacking stats reflect modest contributions, with an average of 0.23 raid points per match, he excelled defensively with 126 tackles and a success rate of 48%. Shubham’s tactical acumen, highlighted by three High 5s and two Super Tackles, positions him as a key player for the Pirates. As he steps into this leadership role, Shubham aims to inspire a winning mentality within the squad and uphold the high standards expected of the franchise.

Also Read: PKL 11: 3 key players of Patna Pirates in Pro Kabaddi League season 11

Puneri Paltan – Aslam Inamdar

Aslam Inamdar continues as the captain of Puneri Paltan for PKL 11, a testament to his exceptional leadership qualities and consistent performance. Aslam has been one of the standout all-rounders in recent seasons, excelling in both raiding and defense. His ability to contribute across the mat makes him a vital player for Puneri Paltan. Under his captaincy, the team will be looking to build on their success from the previous seasons.

Aslam’s leadership will be crucial as Puneri Paltan looks to challenge for the title this season. His calm demeanor and ability to make quick decisions on the mat have made him a natural leader. With a well-balanced squad at his disposal, Aslam will aim to guide his team to their first-ever PKL title.

Tamil Thalaivas – Sagar Rathee

Sagar Rathee returns as the captain of Tamil Thalaivas for the third consecutive season in PKL 11. A tenacious defender, Sagar has been a key figure in the Thalaivas’ lineup since taking over the captaincy in PKL 9. Under his leadership, the team made their first-ever playoff appearance, and Sagar’s performances have earned him widespread recognition in the league. Known for his leadership qualities and ability to rally his teammates, Sagar will be aiming to lead Tamil Thalaivas to their maiden PKL title this season.

Telugu Titans – Pawan Sehrawat

Telugu Titans have retained Pawan Sehrawat as their captain for PKL 11. Known for his explosive raiding skills, Pawan has been one of the most successful raiders in PKL history, with over 217 points in 21 matches last season. However, despite his brilliance, the Titans finished last in PKL 10, winning only two out of 22 matches. Pawan will be keen to turn things around this season and lead the Titans to a much-improved performance.

Also Read: PKL 11: 3 key players of Telugu Titans in Pro Kabaddi League season 11

U Mumba – Sunil Kumar

U Mumba has appointed Sunil Kumar as their captain for PKL 11 after roping in for a whopping 1.05cr. Sunil, the second most successful captain has 65 wins to him. He previously led the Jaipur Pink Panthers to victory in Season 9, where he collected an impressive 82 tackle points.

At just 21, Sunil became the youngest captain in PKL history earlier, and now he faces the challenge of leading U Mumba to another championship after the team parted ways with former captain Surinder Singh.

UP Yoddhas – Surender Gill

UP Yoddhas have named Surender Gill as their captain for PKL 11, marking a new chapter in his Pro Kabaddi career. Gill has been one of the most exciting raiders in the league, consistently delivering high-quality performances for the Yoddhas. His quick footwork, agility, and ability to outwit defenders have made him a crucial player for the team.

In the last season of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), he scored 145 raid points. Now, with the captain’s armband, Surender will be expected to lead UP Yoddhas to their first-ever PKL title.

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