"The whole team is together and we are all practicing hard" - U Mumba captain Sunil Kumar on team's preparations ahead of PKL 11 [Exclusive]
As the 11th season of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) approaches, U Mumba have announced Sunil Kumar as their captain for the upcoming season. Sunil, who will be playing for the Mumbai-based franchise for the first time, is stepping into a crucial leadership role with high hopes of leading the team to victory.
A seasoned defender and former captain of Gujarat Giants and Jaipur Pink Panthers, Sunil is excited about the new challenge and is determined to bring the PKL title back to U Mumba.
In an interview with Sportskeeda, Sunil expressed his eagerness for the season and shared his vision for the team, making it clear that the goal is to make U Mumba champions.
Sunil emphasized the importance of unity and a family-like bond among players. He also acknowledged the team's hard work and preparation in the lead-up to the new season. U Mumba are aiming to claim their second PKL title, having last won the championship in 2015, and Sunil Kumar is confident that the team is on the right track.
When asked about the team's strengths, Sunil highlighted the close-knit nature of U Mumba, describing the team as a family.
"Our team is very strong. The team should be like a family and all the players have to live like this. If the players go here and there, then it is no longer a team and you will never be able to perform well. The biggest thing is that the whole team is together and we are all practicing hard. The players are listening to the seniors and the coach and are also working on it. This is our biggest strength," he said.
Despite U Mumba boasting a strong defensive lineup with players like Sunil himself, Rinku, and Parvesh Bhainswal, the captain believes that their raiding unit is even more impressive.
"Our raiding unit is better than our defense. You might not even know that we have such raiders that you will be surprised to see them. We are strong on both sides (raiding and defense), it just remains to be seen how quickly we manage to get into the rhythm. If we get momentum from the beginning, it will be great," the skipper stated.
He added that fans will be surprised by the skill and talent of their raiders this season. The team features a well-rounded mix of experienced players and promising young talents, with Manjeet Dahiya, Amir Mohammad Zafardanesh, Ajit Chauhan, and Rohit leading the raiding efforts.
U Mumba skipper Sunil Kumar says that he is satisfied with his preparations for PKL 11
Sunil Kumar also shared insights into his own preparations for the season. He has been training with the team for over a month and feels fully prepared for the challenges ahead. He said:
"I have been practicing in the camp for a month and I am very satisfied with my preparation. Any player who practices well has no lack of confidence. In the morning we are working on speed, strength and fitness. In the evening we work on our skills and combinations with the coach on the mat.
"I hope to perform well in PKL 11. Our first match is against Dabang Delhi KC on October 18 and we will have two great raiders (Naveen Kumar and Ashu Malik) in front of us. We will try to do well from the first match itself and we have to start the season with a win."
U Mumba's team looks quite balanced for Pro Kabaddi League Season 11. On one hand, they have options like Sunil Kumar, Sombir, Rinku, Parvesh Bhainswal, Gokulkanan, Bittu in defense, while in raiding, they have raiders like Manjeet Dahiya, Amir Mohammad Zafardanesh, Ajit Chauhan, and Rohit.
On reuniting with defender Parvesh Bhainswal
One of the most exciting storylines for U Mumba this season is the reunion of Sunil Kumar and Parvesh Bhainswal, who previously formed a formidable cover defense pair during their time with the Gujarat Giants. Sunil is thrilled to be playing alongside Parvesh again and believes that the duo can make a significant impact this season.
"I have been playing with him since childhood. Of course, we did not play together in the last two seasons of PKL. We both are very happy that U Mumbai gave us a chance," he stated.
Despite Parvesh's recent dip in form, Sunil is confident that his long-time teammate will bounce back. Drawing from his own experience, Sunil said:
"My performance was not very good for Gujarat Giants in Season 8, but in the 9th season, I scored more than 60 points for Jaipur Pink Panthers. A player's form can fluctuate. It is not that Parvesh will not be able to perform well."