PKL 11 Season Review: Over-reliance on Arjun Deshwal sink Jaipur Pink Panthers

Jaipur Pink Panthers finished sixth in PKL 11.

Following an inconsistent season, Jaipur Pink Panthers crashed out of the Pro Kabaddi 2024 (PKL 11) following a huge 46-18 loss to UP Yoddhas in the eliminator 1. The season 9 champions finished sixth in the PKL standings with 12 wins, eight losses and two draws from 22 matches.

If Jaipur Pink Panthers‘ season had to be described in one word, that would be ‘inconsistent’. The team’s problems started in the foundation- i.e, the auctions- they not only let go of stars like Sunil, Devank, and Bhavani Rajput (who played a major role in ousting them), they did not try to even fill the gaps left by these players.

Also Read: PKL 11 Season Review: Did Ram Meher Singh’s overconfidence cost Gujarat Giants their season?

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Another major reason for their decline this season was their overdependence on captain Arjun Deshwal. 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. 

However, Kabaddi is a team game, and having no backup to the ‘raid machine’ is where things went wayward for them, as the raiding department faltered anytime Arjun Deshwal failed to perform. On that note, let’s have a look at the performers who kept them in the competition.

Top Performers:

Arjun Deshwal

Captain Arjun Deshwal has been the standout performer for Jaipur Pink Panthers this season, The season 9 MVP single-handedly had won them many matches. With a staggering 230 points in 23 matches, he’s averaged 9.86 raid points per game, consistently dismantling opposition defenses.

Arjun’s ability to deliver in clutch moments is evident from his four Super raids and 10 Super 10s this season. His not-out percentage of 75.63% highlights how smart and efficient he’s been on the mat. Time and again, Arjun has stepped up when his team needed him the most.

Ankush Rathee

While the Jaipur Pink Panthers’ defence has struggled to find consistency in PKL 11, Ankush Rathee has been a bright spot. Playing in the left corner, he has delivered impressive performances, earning 68 tackle points in 23 matches. His ability to maintain composure under pressure is reflected in his average of 2.82 successful tackles per match and a solid tackle success rate of 57%.

Ankush’s contributions also include three Super Tackles and three High 5s, highlighting his knack for stepping up in crucial moments. Despite the team’s overall defensive shortcomings, his performances have provided a glimmer of hope and stability for the Pink Panthers this season.

Reza Mirbagheri

Jaipur Pink Panthers might have had inconsistent performance, but one player who has constantly performed for the outfit is Reza Mirbagheri. The Iranian star played 23 matches, earning a total of 72 points, with 58 of those coming from tackles. Known for his composure and strength, Reza maintained a solid tackle success rate of 51% across 105 tackle attempts, averaging 2.34 successful tackles per game.

In addition to his defensive prowess, Reza registered four Super Tackles and two High 5s, showcasing his ability to step up in critical moments. While his contributions in attack were minimal, with just 14 raid points from 41 attempts, his defensive consistency made him a cornerstone of the team’s strategy.

Also Read: PKL 11 Season Review: Did Randhir Singh fail to buy right players for Bengaluru Bulls at auction?

Special Mention

On the days when Arjun Deshwal failed to rise to the occasion, Neeraj Narwal had shown glimpses of brilliance. The young raider featured in 18 matches this season, earning 87 points. With 74 of those coming from raids, Neeraj maintained an average of 4.11 raid points per match, proving to be a reliable attacking option.

He executed 193 raids with a success rate of 38.34%, adding two Super Raids and two Super 10s to his tally. His ability to stay on the mat, reflected in his impressive 77.2% not-out percentage, further underscored his value to the team. While there is still room for growth in terms of raid efficiency, Neeraj’s performance this season hinted at his potential to become a more impactful player in the future.

Top Performances:

• Gujarat Giants 29-42 Jaipur Pink Panthers (Match 103)
• Jaipur Pink Panthers 41-28 Telugu Titans (Match 86)
• Telugu Titans 22-52 Jaipur Pink Panthers (Match 9)

Coach’s Report Card – Sanjeev Baliyan

What one can say about coach Sanjeev Baliyan is that he is rigid in his ways. The coach failed to fill the void left by Sunil Kumar who has been a strong presence in the team. He released the likes of Devank and Bhavani who could have much been the support of Arjun. On top of that, he didn’t even secure any reinforcements against the same.

Lessons to be learned

The most important lesson that Jaipur Pink Panthers should take away from the season is that no player alone can take a team to the top, even if it is someone as formidable as Arjun Deshwal. Kabaddi is a team game and players will always need a backup.

Fans’ View

Jaipur Pink Panthers came into the tournament as favourites for the title and their initial games showed that they were on the right track. However, as the season progressed, and fatigue settled in, their performances became inconsistent.

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