PKL 11 Season Review: Over-dependence on Ashu Malik sink Dabang Delhi's title dream

Dabang Delhi finished second in the PKL 11 standings.

Dabang Delhi suffered an unfortunate exit from Pro Kabaddi 2024 after losing 32-28 to Patna Pirates in the semifinals. The outfit finished second in the PKL 11 standing with 13 wins, five losses, and four wins from 22 matches and earned a direct entry to the PKL 11 semifinals.

Dabang Delhi had a rollercoaster ride in PKL 11, while they had a shaky start to the tournament, slumping to a losing streak after the first couple of matches, they finished the league stage with a 15-match unbeaten streak.

Other than Patna Pirates, Dabang Delhi, had the most impactful raiding department with Ashu Malik and Naveen Kumar firing shots. While Naveen was sidelined for some time, Ashu took over the captaincy duties and stayed competitive in the chart for top raider.

Also Read: PKL 11 Season Review: Did overconfidence affect Patna Pirates’ dream of winning title?

That being said, let’s have a look at how the PKL 11 unfolded for the season eight champions. 

Top performers:

Ashu Malik

When we talk about Dabang Delhi players, Ashu Malik’s name comes at the top. The raider of the season in PKL 10, carried forward his form in PKL 11. In the absence of Naveen Kumar, Ashu led by example. 

In 23 matches, he amassed an impressive 265 total points, including 262 raid points, with an average of 11.39 raid points per match. Executing 445 raids, Ashu achieved a success rate of 58.87%, highlighting his consistency and efficiency on the mat.

He recorded 18 Super 10s, underlining his ability to dominate opponents, and contributed 8 Super Raids, proving his knack for turning the tide during critical moments.

Naveen Kumar 

The much beloved Naveen Express might not have been at his best this season but he still put up some spirited performances. He had 100 total points in just 16 matches. With 220 raids executed, he achieved a success rate of 44.09%. With that, he achieved a milestone of 1100 points in PKL. 

Naveen Kumar earned 97 raid points, maintaining an average of 6.06 raid points per match. He notched up three Super 10s and a crucial Super Raid, underlining his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. With a not-out percentage of 77.27%, Naveen balanced aggression with precision, proving himself as a reliable and impactful raider throughout the season.

Also Read: PKL 11 Season Review: Did Pawan Sehrawat’s injury cost Telugu Titans’ title dream?

Yogesh Dahiya

Dabang Delhi’s defence was not stellar but the NYP of last season Yogesh Dahiya put up a spirited performance for Dabang Delhi in PKL 11. Playing 22 matches, he racked up an impressive 75 tackle points with an average of 2.95 successful tackles per match. 

His 56% tackle success rate highlights his precision and effectiveness on the mat. Dahiya executed 10 Super Tackles, showcasing his ability to turn the tide in critical moments while achieving 5 High 5s as a testament to his consistency. 

Top Performances

• Dabang Delhi 47-25 Bengal Warriorz (Match 115)
• Dabang Delhi 44-37 Haryana Steelers (Match 107)
• Gujarat Giants 31-47 Dabang Delhi (Match 129)

Coach’s report card- Joginder Narwal 

Joginder Narwal has been doing the right things with the outfit. For a team that had made shaky starts to finish second in the league, consistently performing has been a huge testament to perseverance. Keeping the core of the team, and building a beautiful bond between Ashu Malik and Naveen Kumar on and off the field which was easily visible in the games. 

However, being an experienced player, he should have known better than to have a backup raider in case Ashu and Naveen had a bad day, which happened in the semi-final against Patna and thus they were ultimately eliminated.

Lesson to be learned

The lesson that Dabang Delhi can take away from PKL 11 is that there is no harm in having backups which was evident in the semifinals. But Delhi are on the right track, they just need to make a few smart additions next season. 

Fans’ view

After such a consistent season, an unbeaten streak, and finishing second, fans would be disappointed with the way Dabang Delhi exited from PKL 11. But, their performance in the league remains a glimmer of hope for the fans that the team can go a step further the next season. 

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