Pro Kabaddi 2024: List of all retained and released players by Gujarat Giants ft. Fazel Atrachali, Parteek Dahiya
With the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 11 approaching, Gujarat Giants have revealed their list of retained and released players. After a solid performance in PKL Season 10, where they finished fourth in the group stage and made it to the playoffs, the team is gearing up for another intense season.
However, their journey ended in the Eliminator against Haryana Steelers, and the team management has made several crucial decisions to strengthen the squad for the upcoming season. One of the most notable changes is the release of their star defender, Fazel Atrachali, who had been a cornerstone of their defense.
Gujarat Giants have retained a mix of experienced and young players to maintain a balanced squad. A total of five players have been retained across different categories, reflecting the team’s strategy to build a strong core while also nurturing young talent.
In the Elite Retained Players category, Gujarat Giants have kept Balaji D and Jitender Yadav.
The franchise has shown a strong commitment to youth by retaining Parteek Dahiya and Rakesh in the Retained Young Players category. Parteek Dahiya had an impressive Season 10, scoring 130 raid points with an average of 6.5 raid points per game. He also notched up six Super 10s and nine Super Raids, making him one of the key raiders for Gujarat Giants. Similarly, Rakesh contributed significantly to the team’s success with 108 raid points, including five Super 10s.
In the Existing New Young Players (ENYP) category, Gujarat Giants have retained Nitin.
The most surprising move by the franchise in their list of released players is the departure of Fazel Atrachali. The Iranian defender was a formidable presence in the Giants' defense, scoring 62 tackle points with three High 5s and four Super Tackles in Season 10. It will be interesting to see how they fill the void left by his release.
Other released players include some key names like Rohit Gulia, Sombir Gulia, Vikas Jaglan, Mohammad Nabibaksh, Arkam Shaikh, Rohan Singh, Sourav Gulia, Nitesh, Manuj Deepak Singh, Ravi Kumar, More GB, Sonu Jaglan, and Jagdeep.
The releases suggest that they are looking to revamp their squad with fresh talent in the upcoming PKL 2024 Player Auction. The auction, scheduled for August 15 and 16, will be crucial for the Giants as they look to address the gaps in their squad, especially in the defense, following Fazel Atrachali’s release.
Gujarat Giants: Retained Players List
Elite Retained Players: Balaji D, Jitender Yadav
Retained Young Players: Parteek Dahiya, Rakesh
Existing New Young Players: Nitin
Gujarat Giants: Released Players List
Released Players: Fazel Atrachali, Rohit Gulia, Sombir Gulia, Vikas Jaglan, Mohammad Nabibaksh, Arkam Shaikh, Rohan Singh, Sourav Gulia, Nitesh, Manuj Deepak Singh, Ravi Kumar, More GB, Sonu Jaglan, Jagdeep