PKL 9: Top five young players retained for Season 9

These players showed maturity beyond their years.

With the auctions taking place on August 5th and 6th in Mumbai, the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) teams have announced the retained players across three categories: Elite Retained Players, Retained Young Players, Existing New Young Players, Franchisee Nominated New Young Players.

Teams were allowed to retain up to six players in the Elite Retained Player category and four young players. Most teams have opted to hold on to their young stars and have released some big names to the auction pool. With many dynamics to contend for, the auction could get very interesting as 500 players go under the hammer.

Here are the top five retained young players across the franchises.

5. Vinay

Haryana Steelers retained their right raider Vinay, backing him past the second season syndrome. He impressed in Pro Kabaddi League 7, scoring 128 raid points in 23 matches but had a subdued outing last season, managing 51 points in 15 games. He will form the crux of the Steelers unit and the team will look to build the squad around him.

4. Saurabh Nandal

The Bulls’ right corner was rightfully retained after another solid season in defence in the PKL. Partnering Aman, the duo as a corner combination rarely faltered.

Nandal snared 69 points in 24 matches and will be a part of Bulls’ familiar defence, after most of the unit consisting of Aman, Mahendar Singh and Mayur Kadam have also been retained before the auctions. Saurabh’s amazing consistency saw him finish as the third-best defender in Season 8.

3. Surender Gill

Out-classing Pardeep Narwal is not a mean feat. This is what raider Surender Gill managed for UP Yoddha last season. While the ‘Dubki King’ Pardeep struggled for consistency and form, Gill ably took over the lead raider duties and delivered in abundance, averaging 8.22 raid points per match and earning a total of 198. He finished fifth in the total raid points standings and could double up as an excellent support raider as well.

2. Sagar

Tamil Thalaivas blew hot and cold all throughout Season 8 but one of the greatest positives was the upcoming of Right Corner Sagar. The youngster burst onto the scene with eight High 5s and an average of 3.73 successful tackles per match with a success rate of 51%.

He has the capabilities of being a defensive pillar for years to come and will look to merge his newly gained experience with some quality displays on the mat in PKL Season 9.

1. Naveen Kumar

After the Elite Retained Players were announced, fans were perplexed and surprised to see Naveen’s name missing from the list. However, Delhi had retained him under the Young Players list. Despite suffering an injury after scoring 28 Super 10s in a row, Naveen came back strongly in the playoffs to lead Dabang Delhi to the title.

The 22-year-old showed unmatchable levels of consistency, posting 210 points in 17 matches with a strike rate of 61% and finishing with an average of 12.18 raid points per match. He will look to keep his streak of Super 10s going this year with the team he knows and loves best.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Kabaddi on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and join our community on Telegram.