PKL 12: Top five young players available in auction

Several players, drafted in as NYPs earlier, have been released by their respective teams ahead of the PKL 12 auction.

Over the years, teams from different sports have shown a bias towards experienced players. Because players who have learned from difficult situations can maintain their composure in tough matches. However, the exuberance of youth should never be taken lightly.

Generally, young players have more hunger and passion to do well. They use their skills appropriately to get the team out of a difficult situation. Even in the Pro Kabaddi League, the Puneri Paltan have revolutionized the sport in the last few years, with their youngsters continuously playing with a high tempo.

They were the runners-up in PKL 9 and became the winners of PKL for the first time in season 11. Similarly, the defending champions, Haryana Steelers, also had a young team last season. Thus, during the PKL 12 auction, there is likely to be a lot of excitement when the young players will go under the hammer. On that note, let’s look at the top five young players who are available in the season 12 auction.

5. Aryavardhan Navale

Puneri Paltan bought Aryavardhan Navale as a new young player last season. Like most of the young players who have emerged from the team, he also performed brilliantly in his debut match. He performed well on many occasions when Aslam Inamdar was injured and Mohit Goyat struggled with poor form.

He scored 45 raid points in 13 matches, with a whopping raid strike rate of 66.17% (one Super 10). Navale performed well last season, however, the team released him even after that.

Also Read: What is the total budget of a PKL franchise in auction?

4. Ashish Malik

Ashish Malik has earned a good reputation by playing only two seasons in the Pro Kabaddi League. He was drafted in by Dabang Delhi as a New Young Player in season 10. The left corner made an instant impact, scoring 48 tackle points in 19 matches, at a strike rate of 49% (four high 5s). He played a crucial part in a young defensive line-up, as the side managed to reach the Eliminators.

Ashish’s form fluctuated early on in the previous edition. However, he still managed to score 46 tackle points in 21 matches, with a success rate of 41% (two High 5s). He again played a key role in the team’s progress, as the side finished second in the table, before crashing out in the semifinals.

3. Yogesh Dahiya

Just like Ashish, Dabang Delhi have also signed Yogesh Dahiya as a New Young Player in season 10. He did a great job leading a young defense in his first season. He scored 77 points in 23 matches at a strike rate of 54%, with five High 5s, and became the ‘Emerging Player of the Season’. The team had to step up in the absence of the injured Naveen Kumar, and Yogesh played his part, helping the team enter the playoffs.

Yogesh then proved that he wasn’t a one-season wonder, scoring an identical number of tackle points and High 5s in PKL 11, at a better tackle strike rate of 56%. So it was no surprise that the team qualified for the playoffs for the sixth consecutive time.

2. Nitin Dhankar

In PKL 10, Nitin Dhankar made everyone aware of his potential and skills and single-handedly led Bengal Warriorz to victory in many matches.

Bengal’s trust in him immediately translated into results on the field, as he was ranked seventh-best raider of the season. He scored 169 raid points in 20 matches, with a raid strike rate of 54.87%, including eight super 10s.

Pressure mounted on him in season 11, as Maninder had an ordinary season owing to injuries and consequent poor form. Nitin, though, stepped in as the lead raider. He scored 118 raid points in 14 matches, at a success rate of 45.55% (six super 10s), before an injury cut his season short.

1. Akash Shinde

Having played four seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League, Akash Shinde is one of the biggest names among the youngsters in the auction pool. He didn’t get many opportunities on his debut in the eighth edition but put on a stunning performance in season 9.

Despite Aslam and Mohit being injured, he played a key role in taking the Puneri Paltan to the final. In season 9, Akash scored 139 raid points in 19 matches (raid strike rate: 62.61%, five super 10s).

With the return of the lead raiders, he mainly played as a substitute in the team’s title-winning campaign in PKL 10. However, season 11 was not good for him as he scored only 92 raid points in 19 matches.

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