"He's the best defender in kabaddi" - U Mumba raider Manjeet heaps praises on captain Sunil Kumar; opens up on goals for PKL 11 [Exclusive]
U Mumba's new raider, Manjeet, has showered high praise on the team's new captain, Sunil Kumar, as the two gear up for Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season 11. Sunil Kumar, one of the most experienced defenders in the PKL circuit, has an impressive record, having played 137 matches and accumulated 336 tackle points. After successfully leading Jaipur Pink Panthers to their second PKL title in season 9 and a semi-final finish in PKL 10, Sunil now joins U Mumba with the hopes of returning the team to its glory days.
Manjeet, who was a key player for Patna Pirates in the previous season, now finds himself shouldering additional responsibility with U Mumba's young raiding unit. With 108 matches under his belt and 633 raid points at an average of 5.86, he knows the expectations from him are high. He is expected to lead the charge alongside young Iranian raider Amirmohammad Zafardanesh.
In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, Manjeet spoke candidly about his journey so far with U Mumba and the team's aspirations for the upcoming season.
U Mumba roped in Manjeet for ₹80 lakh in the PKL 11 auction, a clear indication of the management's faith in his abilities. The raider is determined to prove his worth.
"I'm feeling really good. I've joined a new team, and U Mumba has placed their trust in me by picking me in the auction. I'm happy because the management is great, and they have shown faith in me. I'll do my best to live up to that trust," Manjeet said.
When asked about U Mumba's young raiding lineup, Manjeet expressed confidence in the team's potential. Zafardanesh, in particular, caught Manjeet's attention for his debut performance last season, where he scored 141 raid points in 20 games at an average of 7.05.
"Zafardanesh had a good debut season last year. We've practiced hard, and I'm confident that he'll deliver his best again this season. We also have some fresh talent in Ajit, Shubham, and Vishal, who have all shown great potential in practice. Once the matches begin, I believe they'll perform well," Manjeet stated.
As a senior player, Manjeet emphasized the importance of communication and focus during matches, particularly among the raiders.
"While practicing, we talk to each other, especially when mistakes happen, and we make sure to correct them. The key during a match is to stay focused. If one raider gets out, the others need to stay calm and avoid getting out, too. It's important to play safe because having at least one raider on the court is essential. If Zafardanesh gets out, I'll try my best to stay on the mat," he added.
One of U Mumba's major strengths this season will be their defense, led by captain Sunil Kumar. With the likes of Rinku at the right corner, experienced Parvesh Bhainswal, and the young and talented Sombir at the left corner, the team's defensive lineup looks strong. Manjeet praised Sunil's leadership and the overall strength of the defense, noting:
"Look, Sunil has been giving his best in PKL for the last 4-5 seasons. In my opinion, he's the best defender in kabaddi, and he also has captaincy experience, which is why he's been made captain.
"Alongside him, we have Parvesh, and their pairing is well-known. Rinku is also a strong defender, and we have options for the left corner with Sombir, Lokesh, and Deepak. Whoever performs best will play. It's not like only the raiders or the defenders can win matches alone. Both have to give their best for the team to succeed."
"I don't think much about personal goals" - Manjeet aims to give his best for U Mumba in PKL 11
Manjeet also emphasized the need for synchronization between the raiders and defenders to ease the pressure on both units.
"If the match starts and the opponent's raiders are scoring while our raiders are getting out, it will be difficult. So, if the defense is struggling, the raiders need to step up. The better the defense, the less pressure there will be on the raiders. And if the raiders do well, the defense will also feel less pressure."
When asked about his personal goals for the upcoming season, Manjeet was quick to downplay individual accomplishments, highlighting his focus on the team's success.
"I don't think much about personal goals. I just focus on doing whatever the team needs and giving my best," Manjeet concluded.