PKL: Players which should be retained by Gujarat Giants for next season

The team have some of the best-experienced players who can be retained.

Gujarat Giants were one of the best teams in the eighth season of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). The team won 10 out of 22 matches in the league stage, lost eight and played four ties. They finished third in the points table and qualified for the playoffs, but failed to lift the PKL title once again. The team of Gujarat Giants was once again shattered under pressure after coming into the knockout rounds.

If we analyze the team’s performance overall, then in the eighth season of the PKL, the defence of Gujarat Giants was the strongest on paper. However, players like Ravinder Pahal and Girish Ernak succumbed to injuries in the middle of the campaign, which made a big difference. On the other hand, the pair of Sunil and Pravesh couldn’t stand up to what they had been known for. Pravesh Bhainswal produced a tremendous performance, but couldn’t find the much-needed support from captain Sunil Kumar.

Apart from this, the team also lacked a lead raider. Players like Rakesh Sangroya, Rakesh Narwal, Ajay Kumar, and Pradeep did perform, but to no avail. Now, the question before Gujarat Giants is which players should they retain before the upcoming PKL season? Let us have a look at who are the players that Gujarat Giants should retain for the next season and who can prove to be quite a force for the team.

Mahendra Rajput & Pradeep must be given chance in raiding unit

If we talk about the raiding department, then Gujarat Giants should retain the pair of Pradeep Kumar and Mahendra Rajput. Pradeep Kumar’s tall height provides him an edge in raiding. Owing to his stature, it becomes difficult for defenders to tackle him. This skill of Pradeep makes him a different raider from others. In the eighth season of the PKL, Pradeep scored 79 points in 17 matches and showed that he can do more if he gets another chance.

On the other hand, Mahendra Rajput got fewer chances in the last PKL season. Despite this, he impressed everyone with his performance. In the last two matches, when Gujarat Giants had to reach the playoffs, Mahendra did a good job. Overall, everyone was surprised by his game. That's why the team should have faith in the player and look to retain him.

Sunil & Pravesh pair should be retained in defence

The game of kabaddi requires extreme coordination among the players when it comes to defending. Not only this, but the players should also be capable enough to deal with tough situations during matches. The pair of Sunil Kumar and Pravesh Bhainswal is well-known for Gujarat Giants and so was their combination throughout the tournament. That's why the team should retain this pair for the upcoming PKL season as well. This could prove to be a vital move for the team, as they’d find the right combination for them in the defensive unit.

However, if we look at the performance of these players, then it was not very good. Pravesh Bhainswal scored 56 points in 23 matches for Gujarat Giants and finished ninth in the overall tournament. While skipper Sunil Kumar got only 38 tackle points in 23 matches. However, their experience will be a valuable asset to the team. In the next season, both these players could bring great success to the team. Overall, Gujarat Giants should retain these four players.

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