PKL 9: Top 10 defenders teams will look to sign in auction

These defenders are expected to get big bids in PKL auction.

Only five days are left in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 9 auction. All the teams have announced the list of retained players. A total of 111 players have been retained for this PKL season which includes 19 in Elite Retained Category, 13 Retained Young Players, and 38 in New Young Players Category. The retained players are mostly raiders.

But, to make a team victorious, the defenders also have an equally important contribution as the raiders. Let's know the top ten defenders who have not been retained, but will be the best bet for the teams in the auction to be held on August 5 and 6 in Mumbai:

10. Bajirao Hodge

The Pro Kabaddi League's most prominent right cover defender is Bajirao Hodge, who proved to be the strongest defense pillar for Bengal Warriors in the last few PKL seasons.

He has played 61 matches so far and has scored 95 points. During this, he made 246 tackles, which included 90 successful tackles and 156 unsuccessful tackles. His tackle success rate in PKL is 36.58%.

9. Parvesh Bhainswal

Left cover defender Parvesh Bhainswal could not be retained in the team despite scoring the most number of points for Gujarat Giants in PKL Season 8.

He scored 56 tackle points in 23 matches last season. Including two high 5s and 10 super tackles. At the same time, his tackle strike rate was 54%. Bhainswal is known for his block.

8. Vishal Prabhakar Mane

Vishal Mane, a master of right cover defence, creates havoc in the opposition team with his defense along with corner defenders. He has played 134 matches so far and has scored 203 points.

During this, he has made 538 tackles. He has a tackle success rate of 36% in PKL. In PKL Season 5, Patna Pirates bought Mane in the auction for ₹36.5 lakhs.

7. Joginder Narwal

Left corner defender Joginder does not allow the opposition team to breathe with his accurate defense and agility. He made his PKL debut with Bengaluru Bulls.

Narwal has played 101 matches so far and scored 209 points. During this he made 445 tackles which included 192 successful tackles and 253 unsuccessful tackles. He has a tackle success rate of 43% in PKL.

6. Girish Maruti Ernak

Left corner defender Girish has played 125 matches so far and has scored 318 points. During this he made 690 tackles, which included 293 successful tackles and 397 unsuccessful tackles. He has a tackle success rate of 42% in PKL.

5. Ravinder Pahal

One of the best left corner defenders in the Pro Kabaddi League, Ravinder Pahal is widely regarded as the smartest, athletic and technically sound defender of the Pro Kabaddi League. Ravindra Pahal plays in the right corner position in the Pro Kabaddi League.

His teammates have nicknamed him 'The Hawk' because of his ability to stun his opponent with the quickness of the blink of an eye. Pahal has played 120 matches so far in which he has scored 352 points. During this he made 707 tackles which included 319 successful tackles and 388 unsuccessful tackles. He has a tackle success rate of 45% in PKL.

4. Fazal Atrachali

Iran's 30-year-old left corner defender Fazal Atrachali made a tremendous impact on arrival and replaced Surendra Nada in the defence. Fazal's tackle rate is impressive.

He played for Patna in PKL 4 and helped the team win the title and for this performance he was awarded the 'Defender of the Season' award. He has amassed 372 points in 125 matches in which his tackle success strike rate is 56%.

3. Surendra Nada

'Su' Surendra Nada of the PKL duo known as ‘Sumo’ is one of the best defenders of this league. Nada started his PKL career with U Mumba and instantly managed to form the best pairing with Mohit.

Later, he also took over the captaincy of Bengaluru Bulls. Surendra has scored 291 points in 92 matches. He has so far made 513 tackles, which includes 247 successful tackles and 266 unsuccessful tackles. Nada has a tackle success strike rate of 48%.

2. Saurabh Nandal

One of the most dependable defenders of Bengaluru Bulls in PKL Season 8, right corner defender Saurabh Nandal might not have been retained before the season auctions, but looking at his last season's performance, it can be said that the teams will be looking forward to get him.

His performance in PKL Sesaon 8 was above average and he scored 69 points in 24 matches, which included six high 5s and two super tackles. At the same time, his tackle strike rate was 62%.

1. Sagar Rathi

Tamil Thalaivas defender Sagar Rathi performed well in PKL Season 8 and scored 83 points in 22 matches. Despite excellent performances for the Thalaivas, he failed to catch the eye of the franchise and was not retained. His performance includes eight high 5s and eight Super Tackles. At the same time, his tackle strike rate was 57%.

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