Vishal Bhardwaj PKL Team: Which team is Vishal Bhardwaj playing for in Pro Kabaddi 2024?
Vishal Bhardwaj, popularly known as the ‘Ankle Assassin’ and ‘Ankle Breaker’ for his devastating ankle holds, has been a household name in Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). As the PKL 2024 kicked off, fans have been eagerly awaiting news about which team Bhardwaj will represent in PKL 11. However, to their disappointment, the 27-year-old went unsold in the PKL 11 Auction held in August in Mumbai.
Known for his lethal ankle holds at the left corner, Bhardwaj’s absence from the roster this season has surprised many. Despite his strong reputation as one of the top defenders in the league, no team opted to pick him up in the auction.
Nonetheless, fans remain hopeful that the ‘Ankle Assassin’ could return mid-season as a replacement, as he still has plenty to offer on the mat.
Vishal Bhardwaj’s Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) career
Vishal Bhardwaj’s PKL career is marked by his dominance as a defender. In 118 matches, he has collected 324 tackle points, boasting an impressive average of 2.75 tackles per game. This consistency and ability to execute game-changing tackles made him one of the most feared left corners in the league.
Bhardwaj’s best season came in PKL 5, where he delivered a stunning performance for Telugu Titans, amassing 71 tackle points in 22 matches. His aggressive tackles were pivotal to the Titans’ defense, and he became one of their most important players over the years.
In PKL 10, Vishal Bhardwaj moved to Dabang Delhi KC, where he continued to be a valuable contributor, securing 36 tackle points in 19 matches. While Delhi leaned more towards Ashish as their lead defender for the left corner position, Bhardwaj performed well whenever given the opportunity. Despite his reliable performances, it came as a surprise when Bhardwaj went unsold during the PKL 11 auction.
As of now, Vishal Bhardwaj remains without a team in PKL 11. Given his proven track record, it wouldn’t be a surprise if a team needing a strong left-corner defender considers him a replacement later in the season.