Pardeep Narwal PKL 2023 team: Which team was the Record Breaker a part of in Pro Kabaddi 10?
Pardeep Narwal, widely celebrated as one of the most prolific raiders in Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) history, experienced an uncharacteristically average season in 2023. Known for his exceptional raiding prowess, Narwal was retained by UP Yoddhas under the Elite players category for the season.
The move reflected the team's confidence in his abilities, after acquiring him for Rs 1.65 crore in the 2021 PKL season. However, the 2023 campaign did not meet the high standards expected of him, resulting in a season where he underperformed.
During the 2023 season, Pardeep Narwal played 17 matches for UP Yoddhas. His performance was below par compared to his illustrious past, with Narwal managing to score only 122 points. All these points came from raids, with his average of 7.18 raid points per game notably lower. Narwal recorded just six Super 10s and two Super Raids, which further showcased the dip in the impact that he had.
His successful raid percentage stood at 37%, reflecting a decrease in his efficiency compared to previous seasons.
The underwhelming performance of Narwal affected the team's overall showing in the league as well. UP Yoddhas struggled throughout the season, winning only four out of their 22 matches. With a total of 31 points, they finished 11th in the league standings, narrowly avoiding the bottom spot. The team's poor performance showed the difficulty they faced, with Narwal's contributions not being enough to elevate their position in the standings.
Despite his underwhelming season with UP Yoddhas, Pardeep Narwal remains a celebrated figure in PKL history. He is the league's most successful raider, amassing 1690 raid points across 170 matches. However, in the last three seasons with the Yoddhas, Narwal did not feature among the top five players with the most raid points, which is in contrast with his previous dominance.
Pardeep Narwal returns to Bengaluru Bulls for Pro Kabaddi 2024 season
As the Pro Kabaddi League approaches the 2024 season, Narwal's journey takes a new turn. On the first day of the PKL 2024 auction, he was acquired by Bengaluru Bulls for Rs 70 lakh. This marks his return to the franchise after a gap of nine seasons.
Pardeep made his PKL debut with the Bulls in 2015. However, he played only six games during the season, scoring just nine raid points.
The Bulls were part of a bidding war with U Mumba, but ultimately secured Narwal’s services.
The upcoming season will be crucial for Pardeep Narwal as he seeks to rediscover his top form with the Bengaluru Bulls. It will be interesting to see if he can return to his peak performance this season.