Pro Kabaddi 2016, Season 4: Team of the Mumbai Leg - Home team disappoints
The penultimate leg of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi Season 4 came to an end with an uncharacteristic bad performance by U Mumba at home. The Mumbai-based franchise lost 2 matches at home while drawing 1 in four matches, which keeps their semi-final hopes in the balance.
The 4-day action in Mumbai was a spectacle as we saw crunching tackles and unreal raids by the kabaddi stars. Let’s take a look at the top 7 who form the team of the leg:
Mohit Chhillar (Bengaluru Bulls) – Right Corner
The record buy in kabaddi history, Mohit Chhillar, was a constant thorn against his former side on the final day of the Mumbai leg. Inspiring his team to a narrow 28-27 win, Mohit showed why the Bulls spent so much money on him to switch the orange of U Mumba for the red of the Bengaluru Bulls. With 5 tackle points, the 23-year-old not only completed a high 5, but also reminded his previous team of the mistake they made by letting him go.
Pardeep Narwal (Patna Pirates) – Raider
The phenomenon, Pardeep Narwal, helped Patna Pirates qualify for the semis once again through his exploits in Mumbai. The 19-year-old was unable to prevent the reigning champions from slipping to a 22-29 loss vs Jaipur Pink Panthers, but he still scored 7 points against them. In their second match of the leg, however, he propelled the Pirates to the top of the table with a 12-point haul. Puneri Paltan had no answer to his boisterous raids, which earned Pardeep a super 10 and Patna a place in the semis.
Girish Maruti Ernak (Bengal Warriors) – Left Corner
Being out of semi-final contention this season, Bengal Warriors could be forgiven for not caring about the rest of the matches. But, the Warriors inflicted what could be termed as the biggest shock in the tournament’s history by beating U Mumba at their home and it was largely down to Girish Maruti Ernak’s stellar defence. With 5 tackle points, Girish made sure the Warriors fans had something to cheer despite a poor season.
Jang Kun Lee (Bengal Warriors) – Raider
South Korean Jang Kun Lee was at his best against U Mumba as he led the Bengal Warriors to a shock 31-27 win. Scoring 8 raid points vs the Season 2 winners, Lee made sure Girish Maruti Ernak’s efforts at the back didn’t go to waste. Getting caught in just 2 raids out of 15 attempts further amplifies how clueless the home team’s defenders were against him.
Sandeep Narwal (Telugu Titans) – All-rounder
The second most expensive player in PKL history starred on the second day of the Mumbai leg. With 3 points each in defence and attack, Sandeep Narwal helped Telugu Titans snatch a draw late in the game against the home side. The team from Hyderabad now sit on the brink of semi-final qualification and it is largely down to this 23-year-old’s efforts.
Meraj Sheykh (Dabang Delhi) – All-rounder
Former Telugu Titans star Meraj Sheykh may not have been able to prevent his side from slipping to a 22-24 loss against Jaipur Pink Panthers, but his efforts didn’t go unnoticed. The Iranian amassed a massive 11 points (8 through raids, 3 in defence) to score half of Dabang Delhi’s points in the Eagles’ only match of the leg.
Amit Hooda (Jaipur Pink Panthers) – Right Corner
He may be only 20 years old, but Amit Hooda is fast becoming an indispensable player for the Season 1 winners. With 8 tackle points in 2 matches, the right corner defender helped the Pink Panthers become the first team to qualify for the semis this season. He scored 3 points against Delhi, but saved his best vs the reigning champions by completing a high 5 to blunt the dangerous Pirates’ attack.