Pro Kabaddi League season 9 Team Profile: UP Yoddha

The team has a lot of options in defense and raiding this season.

The only team in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) with a perfect track record of making it to the playoffs in every appearance is UP Yoddha. The Yoddhas' though are yet to win the coveted title. They came close last year as well but were knocked out by neighbours Patna Pirates in the semifinal. 

With a new logo for the new season, the team would enter season 9 with renewed energy and would like to go one step up and win the title for the first time. 

Strength of the team

UP Yoddha have got a balanced defense 

The same core group of defenders will once again have the responsibility to stop opposition raiders in Pro Kabaddi season 9. The backbone of this team is the deadly corner defensive partnership of captain Nitesh Kumar and Sumit Sangwan. The Services right corner defender Nitesh is widely regarded as the modern-day great in that position because of his heroics in the PKL while playing for this team.

Meanwhile, Sumit, his teammate, has been improving ever since his debut and has become one of their top defenders for the past two seasons. The presence of familiar individuals like Ashu Singh, Shubham Baliyan, and Gurdeep Sangwan significantly strengthens their cover defense as well. 

Jaideep Sharma and Abozar Mighani, who already have a solid reputation behind them, are also suitable backup options for the franchise.

Weakness of UP Yoddhas' 

Inconsistency of raiders 

Despite having a star-studded raiding unit the season before, UP still fell short of the standards set by their high-profile reputation when it mattered most in the semi-final last season. The best offensive player in the last season was Surender Gill while the best raider on paper Pardeep Narwal was inconsistent. Shrikant Jadhav on the other hand didn't inspire motivation the entire season. Yoddhas' management decided to retain Gill while they used FBM on Pardeep in the auction held last month.  They also chose Nitin Tomar who is likely to replace Jadhav as the third raider for the upcoming tournament. 

Pardeep, the most expensive player in PKL history before season 9 auctions, fell short of the expectations of UP fans who expected him to lead them to their first-ever title. The 'dubki king' scored 188 raid points in 24 appearances, his lowest individual tally since Season 4 of the PKL before the league expanded to 12 teams. 

As for Nitin Tomar, who also represents UP state at the Senior National Championship, it is sort of a homecoming for the all-rounder. The 26-year-old last played for Yoddhas' in the fifth edition when he captained them in their inaugural PKL season.

So while UP has got quality raiders on paper it will all boil down to how they perform as a unit. Pardeep didn't look at his best in the last season, if he continues to struggle in season 9, UP will be forced to look at other options. 

Players to watch out

All eyes will be on Pardeep Narwal. He will be expected to replicate the same performance he churned out for Patna Pirates in previous editions. While Nitin Tomar too would be expected to contribute both as a player and a leader. Ashu Singh will also be expected to improve his performance from last season in defense.