Pro Kabaddi 2024 Auction: 3 players Jaipur Pink Panthers should target
Two-time Pro Kabaddi League champions Jaipur Pink Panthers have announced their retention list for the 2024-25 PKL season. The Pink Panthers have surprisingly released their captain Sunil Kumar, who led the team to the championship in Season 9.
The retained players list includes star raider Arjun Deshwal, who has been the backbone of Jaipur Pink Panthers in the last three seasons. Deshwal is the most expensive retained player in the Jaipur squad, with his salary being ₹1.28 crore. Left corner defender Ankush Rathee has been retained for ₹37.5 lakh, while left cover Karamvir has received ₹25 lakh.
Other retentions by Jaipur include raiders Abhijeet Malik, Sombir Mehra, and Ritik Sharma along with defenders Ronak Chaudhary, Nitin Kumar, Sahul Mehta, and Reetu Phogat. All have been retained for ₹10.63 lakh each.
Ahead of the Pro Kabaddi 2024 Auction, Jaipur Pink Panthers have ₹2.29 crore in their purse. Looking at the retained players list, the Pink Panthers squad lacks experience.
Here's a list of three players the two-time champions should target to form a strong squad for the upcoming PKL season.
#1 Jaipur Pink Panthers should re-sign their former captain Sunil Kumar
It is rare to see a franchise release their captain after qualifying for playoffs in back-to-back seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League. However, Jaipur Pink Panthers have let go of Sunil Kumar after he led the team to the trophy in Season 9 and then to the semifinals in Season 10.
Perhaps, the Pink Panthers may have thought about buying Sunil back at the auction by using the FBM card. Sunil was not just a proven leader but also a reliable defender for the Jaipur-based franchise. He finished 18th on the defenders' leaderboard last season with 55 tackle points in 23 matches.
It should not come as a surprise if Jaipur re-sign him at the Pro Kabaddi 2024 auction.
#2 V Ajith Kumar
Another player from the Season 10 squad whom the Jaipur Pink Panthers may try to buy back at the Pro Kabaddi 2024 auction is raider V Ajith Kumar. He can raid from both sides and last season, he supported Arjun Deshwal brilliantly in the raiding unit.
Ajith earned a total of 82 points in 19 matches, executing three super raids and registering one Super 10 as well. Even Deshwal would love Ajith's support in the attack again.
#3 Shubham Shinde
Jaipur Pink Panthers have retained left corner Ankush Rathee ahead of the Pro Kabaddi 2024 auction. They need an experienced right corner now, having released Sahul Kumar from the squad.
Although Sahul had a lengthy stint with Jaipur, the franchise may opt for a fresh name in the right corner position now. Someone like Shubham Shinde, who was brilliant for the Bengal Warriors last season, can be a fantastic addition to the Jaipur squad.
Shinde earned 62 tackle points in 22 matches, finishing 12th on the defenders' leaderboard. If Jaipur manage to sign Sunil Kumar and Shubham Shinde, their defense will be unstoppable.