Pro Kabaddi 2024: 3 players who have been ruled out of PKL 11 ft. Aslam Inamdar and Siddharth Desai
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2024 has already delivered a season packed with thrilling contests and edge-of-the-seat action, making it one of the most exciting editions yet. However, as with every competitive sport, this season has also brought its share of setbacks, with injuries and unexpected circumstances affecting players and fans alike.
PKL fans have come to admire and cheer for many of the league’s stars, making it all the more heartbreaking when a few are sidelined.
Here’s a look at three players whose absence will be felt deeply in PKL 11:
#3 Aslam Inamdar (Puneri Paltan)
Puneri Paltan suffered a major blow when their skipper, Aslam Inamdar, was ruled out for the season due to a knee injury. The injury occurred during Pune’s narrow 35-28 victory over U Mumba on November 3.
Aslam was in excellent form, having scored 10 raid points before an unfortunate injury forced him to leave the mat in the 30th minute. Puneri Paltan confirmed his exit from PKL 11 through an official announcement on November 12 via social media.
Aslam was pivotal to Puneri Paltan’s success last season, leading them to their maiden title in PKL 10. Stepping into the role of captain is Pankaj Mohite.
However, Aslam’s void has been evident, especially in the tense closing moments of recent matches. Puneri Paltan have struggled in tight finishes, losing by a single point to Telugu Titans and drawing with Dabang Delhi KC, a sign of the leadership gap left by Aslam.
#2 Siddharth Desai (Dabang Delhi KC)
Nicknamed "Bahubali" for his sheer strength and fearless raiding style, Siddharth Desai was expected to be a critical addition to Dabang Delhi KC’s lineup this season. Signed for INR 26 lakh at the PKL 11 auction, Siddharth was set to create a dynamic raiding trio alongside star raiders Naveen Kumar and Ashu Malik.
Unfortunately, just before the start of the season, Delhi announced that Siddharth would be missing PKL 11 due to personal reasons. His absence has disrupted Delhi’s game plan and forced the team to rely more heavily on Naveen and Ashu.
The veteran Desai's powerful raids and experience would have been invaluable to Delhi, and fans of "Bahubali" are disappointed not to witness him on the mat this season.
#1 Sagar Rathee (Tamil Thalaivas)
Tamil Thalaivas’ captain, Sagar Rathee, was another unfortunate exit from the season. Sagar sustained an injury in the season opener against Telugu Titans, where he got three tackle points before having to leave the mat in the 32nd minute.
Sagar’s absence has left a significant void in Tamil Thalaivas’ defense. The captain’s duties have now been handed over to Sahil Gulia, another reliable defender, yet filling Sagar’s place in the defense line has been a challenging task. Sagar’s experience was critical to Thalaivas’ defensive approach, and his absence could affect the team’s momentum as the season progresses.