"Our coordination is very good" - U Mumba's Rinku on playing alongside Parvesh [Exclusive]
U Mumba’s star defender Rinku has established himself as a vital part of the squad with his consistent performances over the past few seasons. The right-corner defender made a strong impact in Season 9, racking 59 points from 19 matches.
Despite playing only nine matches last season, Rinku still contributed 28 points. As Season 11 of the Pro Kabaddi League approaches, the expectations for the young defender are high.
Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda on the sidelines of the U Mumba press conference, Rinku opened up about his personal goals, team strategies, and the exciting prospects for U Mumba in the upcoming season.
Q: What are your plans for the upcoming Pro Kabaddi Season 11?
Rinku: Our team has had some inconsistent performances over the last few years. So, our goal is to improve and take the team towards the trophy this time.
Q: How do you feel about Sunil Kumar joining the squad?
Rinku: Sunil is not only a very good defender but also a very good captain. His presence will provide us with immense support because he knows how to unite the team. Having him in the squad is a huge advantage and is very good for the team.
Q: What can you tell us about the defensive strategy this season?
Rinku: Right now, we’re focusing on building a strong combination within the team. If we have a good combination, we can win the league.
Q: You’ve played alongside Parvesh in the past. How is your coordination shaping up?
Rinku: Parvesh and I have played together in previous tournaments, and that has helped us build a solid combination. We’ve been practicing in Ahmedabad for the past month, and our coordination is very good. Sunil has been fantastic in the left corner, so overall, our defense is looking really strong. On top of that, our raiding side is also very powerful.
Q: U Mumba has a young raiding unit this season. What are your thoughts on them?
Rinku: Our team has new talent and good experience. Manjeet and Zafardanesh performed well last season, and Manjeet has consistently been a standout player in previous seasons. We also have new talents like Ajit and Shubham, who are proving themselves as strong raiders. Our combinations are very good overall.
Q: U Mumba hasn't qualified for the playoffs in the last three seasons. How are you keeping the team’s environment positive this year?
Rinku: There are always difficulties that occur. Sometimes there are injuries. It was a tough season (season 10) for us. So, this time our goal will be to win the trophy; our defense and offense are also good this time.
Q: Can we expect any solo tackles from you this season?
Rinku: I will try to get a solo tackle this time too, but we will see whether it happens only during the league.
Q: What are your personal goals for this season?
Rinku: My personal goal is to give my best for the team. And if the team wins, then that is my biggest achievement. So, this time we will get the team to qualify and win the trophy.
Q: Which raiders do you think will pose a challenge for U Mumba this season?
Rinku: There are a lot of good raiders, several star raiders. So we can't say anything right now. They are practicing and preparing themselves, and so are we. We will get to know who does well only during the matches.
Q: What message has Coach Anil Chaprana been giving the team?
Rinku: Our coach Anil Chaprana is very good. He is from the army and is making us practice very well. So, we will get good results.