Dabang Delhi vs Bengaluru Bulls - Can the Eagles get off to a flyer?
The much-awaited third season of the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League kicks off in Visakhapatnam on Saturday as hosts Telugu Titans take on U-Mumba, who are the defending champions from the last edition in the first match.
Day 1 also sees a strong and new-look Dabang Delhi K.C. take on the previous season’s runners-up – the Bengaluru Bulls. The side from the capital will be looking to start afresh in the new season and also avenge their 40-21 defeat at the hands of the Bulls in the league stage last time out.
Delhi’s kabaddi side go into the next season with a fresh logo and a revamped setup. Their minimium objective will be to reach the semi-finals after retaining their core team from last year and making some astute signings as well. Their key defender Ravinder Pahal will lead the Dabang Delhi side once again while last season’s top raider Kashiling Adake along with partner-in-crime Rohit Choudhary also remain with the Delhi side.
This dangerous duo is all set to become a terrifying trio as raider Wazir Singh joins the Delhi ranks along with Rajaguru Subramanian, who is a solid defender. Apart from these big names, the Delhi side have also roped in a few young and upcoming names such as 18-year-old Sandeep Dhull, who will add some vigour and energy to the Dabang Delhi lineup.
On the other hand, the Bengaluru Bulls will be without Manjeet Chhillar, their skipper and talisman from the previous season. Chhillar, who was Season 2’s Most Valuable Player, was signed by the Puneri Paltan and will be a huge loss to the side from Karnataka. Joining him in the Pune side will be raider Ajay Thakur, another key member of the Bengaluru side that reached the final last time out.
It will be raider Surjeet Narwal who will captain the Bulls in Season 3 and he will look to lead a group of young players to the semifinals and beyond. With some major names having left the team and a shaky defence to go with, the Bengaluru side enter the tournament as dark horses and will have to bank upon strong team chemistry and youthful dynamism.
Delhi will look to be on the offensive from the get go and will try to ensure they don't give the Bulls time or space in the match.