Pro Kabaddi 2024: 3 reasons why U Mumba could win PKL 11
U Mumba were one of the consistent teams in Pro Kabaddi League during the initial seasons. The Mumbai-based franchise qualified for the first three finals and won their only championship in the second season.
However, ever since Pro Kabaddi League became a 12-team tournament, U Mumba have struggled to perform well. In season 10, the decision to assemble a young squad backfired as the team finished 10th in the points table. The Mumbai-based team only won six of its 22 matches.
Learning from their mistakes of PKL 10, U Mumba have formed a squad with a decent balance of youth and experience now. The season two champions will begin their campaign against Dabang Delhi KC on October 18. Ahead of their first match, here's a look at the three reasons why U Mumba can win PKL 11.
#1 U Mumba have assembled a solid cover duo featuring Sunil Kumar and Parvesh Bhainswal in Pro Kabaddi 11
Cousin brothers Sunil Kumar and Parvesh Bhainswal have been quite successful as a cover pair in the Pro Kabaddi League. This cover duo was the backbone of the Gujarat Giants' defense from season five to eight. However, this pair was split up in season nine as Sunil joined Jaipur Pink Panthers, while Parvesh went to Telugu Titans.
Two seasons later, the solid duo of Sunil and Parvesh is back, this time in the U Mumba squad. Sunil and Parvesh are excellent cover defenders on their own, but as a pair, they are even more dangerous.
Considering they have played so many matches together in the past, Sunil and Parvesh will take little time to get going as a unit again in the PKL. If they bring their 'A' game to the table, the opposition raiders will struggle to score points against U Mumba.
#2 A settled corner defense
Very few teams in PKL 11 retained their set of corner defenders. U Mumba are among those few franchises. They kept Sombir as their left corner along with Gokulakannan M and Rinku as the right corner options.
The Mumbai-based franchise have a settled corner defense. They also have two brothers as their cover defenders. If this defense stays injury free in PKL 11, the Mumbai-based franchise can win its second Pro Kabaddi League championship in December.
#3 'X-factor' all-rounder Manjeet Dahiya
Tall raiders have always been successful in the Pro Kabaddi League. Manjeet Dahiya has used his height well to trouble the opposition defenders in PKL, and for the first time in his PKL career, Manjeet will don the U Mumba jersey.
Manjeet has the experience of 108 PKL matches, where he has scored 703 points. He has 19 Super 10s and five super tackles to his name. An Indian all-rounder like Manjeet is a rare commodity, and U Mumba managed to snap him up at the auction.
The Mumbai-based franchise also have young Iranian all-rounder Mohammadamir Zafardanesh, who was the breakout star of the team in PKL 10. The duo of Zafardanesh and Manjeet can wreak havoc in this season.