These are the players UP Yoddha must retain next season

The outfit must build on the success of the recent campaign where they secured the third position.

The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 8 saw a brilliant display from UP Yoddha. With a player like Pardeep Narwal in their ranks, the outfit had a strong raiding department. While the “dubki king” did not perform to his usual standards for a longer period of time, his presence alone was enough to make a difference.

Sumit was a good performer in defence as well. The team created a record by scoring 21 tackle points in a single game during the campaign. However, skipper Nitesh Kumar was not at his best, which also affected the team’s performance on a larger note.

The outfit secured third place, which was a positive finish considering the circumstances. They won 10 of the 22 matches in the league stage and lost the other nine, while three ended in ties. They came up against Puneri Paltan and by defeating them, the Yoddha’s were able to reach the semi-finals. The PKL side managed 757 points, which was the third-highest total overall in the edition. 

The next step for UP Yoddha is to decide on which players to retain for the upcoming season. They have a few notable performers who could continue to represent the team in the future. Let us take a look at the players that can be retained by the side in the forthcoming PKL season:

Surender Gill should be retained in raiding department

Surender Gill emerges as a viable option in terms of next season. While Pardeep Narwal was struggling for form, it was Gill who took the responsibility of scoring points for UP Yoddha. He managed 198 points in 23 appearances for the team. He was the highest-scoring raider in the team and fifth in the overall league standings. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MozjOtRQBZI

Surender delivered seven super raids and finished as the best player in terms of scoring the most average points per raid. These numbers make it imperative for the management to retain the raider. Not retaining Pardeep Narwal would certainly be shocking, but it is a decision that will benefit the side in the long run. He scored 188 points in 24 matches, which is way below expectations from a player of his stature. 

UP Yoddha splurged on Narwal during the auction and secured his services. Considering the outcome of this move, it would not be smart to retain Pardeep for the upcoming season.

The partnership of Sumit, Ashu & Nitesh must continue

Solid defending from UP Yoddha was the key element in their march to the semis last term. The team were fourth in terms of scoring successful tackles, with 215. Furthermore, the outfit managed 27 super tackles, which was the highest tally for any team in the tournament. Players like Sumit, Ashu and Nitesh played a vital role in achieving those numbers. They should be retained by the management for next season.

Sumit alone scored 62 points in 24 outings, which saw him get a spot in the top five places. Nitesh Kumar, on the other hand, secured 57 points in 24 appearances. For Ashu Singh, his tally of 49 points in 23 matches was impressive as well. UP Yoddha should consider retaining these players for next season. 

Another positive outcome would be the continuation of Sumit and Nitesh’s partnership. The combination between the right and left defenders is tough to deal with for any opposition. The ability to work together makes the players even more valuable.

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