"Our raiding will be excellent too" - U Mumba captain Sunil Kumar expresses confidence in young raiders; aims to win the title in PKL 11 [Exclusive]
U Mumba are gearing up for an exciting campaign in Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season 11 under the leadership of their newly appointed captain, Sunil Kumar. Having lifted the PKL trophy back in season 2, they have been working hard to reclaim its former glory after failing to qualify for the playoffs in the last three seasons.
With a rich history in the league, including a title-winning campaign with the Jaipur Pink Panthers in season 9, Sunil Kumar brings both experience and a winning mentality to the Mumbai-based squad.
This season presents a new challenge for the U Mumba, a team that blends a youthful roster with a few experienced players. While their defense is a point of strength, questions linger around the performance of the relatively young raiding unit. However, Sunil, a defensive stalwart himself, is confident that his team will shine not only in defense but in raiding as well.
In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, U Mumba captain Sunil Kumar shared his thoughts on leading the team, the young talents in the raiding department, and his ambitions for the season.
"Absolutely! I've been a captain in the PKL for the last 4-5 seasons, but this is my first time with U Mumba. Right after joining, the coaches and management showed faith in me and made me captain, which feels really good. I'm aiming to do for U Mumba this season what I did for Jaipur Pink Panthers in Season 9 as captain," said Sunil Kumar.
Sunil’s stint with the Jaipur Pink Panthers saw him lead a relatively experienced squad, but at the U Mumba, he faces a different challenge—guiding a younger team, particularly in the raiding department.
When asked if this presented any challenges, Sunil expressed faith in his younger teammates while emphasizing the importance of the senior players’ role.
"Yes, Jaipur had more seniors, but the juniors at U Mumba are also very good. We have senior players like Parvesh, Rinku, Manjeet, and myself. The juniors bring a lot of excitement and eagerness to play in the Pro Kabaddi League, and that energy will be useful for us senior players. We'll adjust accordingly, and I don't think there will be any problems," he added.
One of the primary concerns surrounding the U Mumba heading into PKL 11 is the strength of its raiding unit compared to the more experienced defense. However, Sunil Kumar believes that the raiders will rise to the occasion, confident that they will surprise fans and opponents alike.
"Just wait and watch! U Mumba won't just be strong in defense; our raiding will be excellent, too. There are some players whose names the Pro Kabaddi League hasn't really noticed yet because it's their first time playing, but they are very good. They will perform really well. We already have senior raiders like Manjeet and Zafardanesh, and our junior raiders are also performing impressively. The team will do well in the league," he continued.
He also mentioned the key raiders to keep an eye on this season, stating:
"Manjeet, Zafardanesh, Ajit Chouhan, and Shivam Stewart Singh are playing really well and are raiders to watch out for."
"It doesn't matter what the previous season's performance was" - Sunil Kumar positive on U Mumba’s chances to win the PKL 11 title
U Mumba, a former PKL champion in season 2, have struggled in recent years, failing to qualify for the playoffs in the last three seasons. When asked about his plans to change the team’s fortunes, Sunil Kumar emphasized that it’s all about preparation and teamwork.
"That happens sometimes. Last season, Puneri Paltan won the trophy, but before that, they reached the final and had seasons where they didn't qualify. It doesn't matter what the previous season's performance was. What matters is how we’ve prepared for this season and how we perform on the mat. This year, we've prepared really well, the team has practiced hard, and everyone has shed a lot of sweat. Maybe this time, the trophy will be ours," he continued.
Another significant difference for Sunil this season is the change in coaching style.
"Every coach has a different way of practicing and strategizing for matches, and every player has a unique style of play. Jaipur had its own style, and here, Gholamreza Mazandarani has his own approach. The focus is mainly on working on the team's combination, which is crucial. If the team’s combination is strong, we can cover any points lost with good support. When a player comes in to support, we can catch those points. He's an excellent coach and is working really hard with us, sweating it out for hours alongside the team," Sunil Kumar added.
Despite being one of the best defenders in PKL, with 336 tackle points in 137 matches, including 20 High 5s and 22 super tackles, Sunil remains focused on the team rather than individual accolades.
"My personal goals come much later. Right now, it’s about focusing on the team. The team has shown so much faith in me by making me captain in my first season with them. So, my first priority is to play for the team and win the trophy for U Mumba in PKL 11. After that, for kabaddi, which was once just played in our village and, is now on such a big platform. Then, I'll play for my family and friends. My personal goals come after all of that," Sunil Kumar concluded.