Pro Kabaddi 2024: Predicting the playing 7 for Jaipur Pink Panthers for PKL 11
Two-time champions Jaipur Pink Panthers are all set to begin their Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2024 campaign on Sunday, October 20. They will clash with Bengal Warriors at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad.
The last edition saw the side finish second in the league stage with 16 victories in 22 games. However, they lost 27-31 to the Haryana Steelers in the semi-finals.
Despite impressive performances, the Panthers retained only five players - Ankush Rathee, Abhishek KS, Arjun Deshwal, Reza Mirbagheri, and Abhijeet Malik.
In the PKL 2024 auction, they purchased 12 players, including experienced campaigners like defender Surjeet Singh and raiders Vikash Khandola and Shrikant Jadhav.
It will be interesting to see if the franchise could continue their strong showing with new acquisitions and retentions. On that note, let's examine the likely starting lineup for the Jaipur Pink Panthers.
#1 Arjun Deshwal (Raider)
Arjun Deshwal was one of the retained players by the franchise due to his sensational performances in the 2023 season. He was the joint-highest in raid points - 276 - in 23 games with 17 Super 10s and an impressive success rate of 50 percent. As a result, he was appointed the captain of the side for the 2024 season.
Making his debut in 2018, Deshwal has 947 raid points in 91 games with 53 Super 10s and a success rate of 50 percent. The 2022 season saw him emerge as the finest raider with 296 raid points and helping the Panthers to secure their second title.
With experienced raiders as the support, Deshwal will look to play without any pressure and help the team in securing the PKL 2024 title.
#2 Vikash Khandola (Raider)
Vikash Khandola will bring his experience and proven skills to the mat for the Jaipur Pink Panthers in the 2024 season. In 120 games, Khandola has garnered 800 raid points with 30 Super 10s and a success rate of 36 percent. The veteran raider's peak came in the 2019 season for the Haryana Steelers, where he scored 190 raid points, with 11 Super 10s.
The last edition saw him score 68 raid points in 19 games for the Bengaluru Bulls. With a success rate of only 27 percent, the franchise decided to release him ahead of the auction. Nevertheless, Khandola will be a key player for the Panthers, as they look to secure their third PKL title.
#3 Shrikant Jadhav (Raider)
The veteran raider, Shrikant Jadhav has garnered 681 raid points in 135 games, with 16 Super 10s, and holds a success rate of 36 percent. So far, he has played for three franchises - Bengal Warriorz, U Mumba and UP Yoddhas.
Jadhav's best performance was recorded in the 2019 season for UP Yoddhas, where he registered 148 raid points, with three Super 10s. In the last edition, he earned 75 raid points for the Bengal Warriorz, and will look to bring back his old charm in the league.
#4 Lucky Sharma (Right corner)
Although Lucky Sharma was released from the squad after his mediocre two seasons, he was bought back by the franchise in the PKL 2024 auction. The right corner defender has taken part in 28 PKL games and registered 21 tackle points with a success rate of 32 percent.
However, Sharma will look to make the most of this opportunity and help the side secure successful tackles.
#5 Ankush Rathee (Left corner)
Ankush Rathee earned retention from the franchise owing to his contributions in the last two seasons. Rathee's debut season saw him garner 89 tackle points with nine High 5s and an exceptional success rate of 64 percent.
He scored 70 points in 22 games, with eight High 5s and a success rate of 52 percent in the last season. Being the trusted left corner, the team management would look to have the same consistency from him in the 2024 season.
#6 Surjeet Singh (Right cover)
The most expensive acquisition by Jaipur Pink Panthers has had an impressive PKL career. In 148 games, Surjeet Singh has amassed 404 tackle points with a success rate of 46 percent and 34 High 5s. He has represented seven franchises until now and will look to win the coveted title with his eighth franchise.
Surjeet's finest performance was recorded in the 2017 season, where he recorded 79 points for the Bengal Warriorz. Since then, he has scored 50+ points in four of five editions, with 60 coming in the last edition for the Bengaluru Bulls.
#7 Reza Mirbagheri (Left cover)
The Iranian defender, Reza Mirbagheri was retained by the Jaipur Pink Panthers ahead of the PKL 2024 auction. This is due to his improved showing in the 2023 season.
Making his debut in 2022, Mirbagheri scored 36 points in 16 games. However, his numbers increased to 64, including four raid points in the last edition. He held a success rate of 45 percent and also registered two High 5s in the 2023 season.
Probable 7 for Jaipur Pink Panthers in PKL 2024
Arjun Deshwal, Vikash Khandola, Shrikant Jadhav, Lucky Sharma, Ankush Rathee, Surjeet Singh, Reza Mirbagheri.