Pro Kabaddi 2024 Auction: 3 players UP Yoddhas should target
Pro Kabaddi 2024 auction is only two days away. UP Yoddhas will be the team in focus at the auction. The Yoddhas failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in PKL history last season.
Despite having big names like Pardeep Narwal, Surender Gill, Nitesh Kumar, Vijay Malik, and Sumit Sangwan in the squad, the UP Yoddhas finished 11th in the points table, managing only four victories in 22 matches. Since the team did not perform well, the management released the likes of Pardeep, Nitesh, and Vijay from the squad before the Pro Kabaddi 2024 Auction.
Sumit Sangwan, Ashu Singh, and Surender Gill continue to be a part of the UP Yoddhas squad. Now, the rest of the team will be built around this trio, and here's a list of three players the Yoddhas should target at the Pro Kabaddi 2024 auction.
#1 UP Yoddhas should try to sign Maninder Singh at the Pro Kabaddi 2024 auction
With Pardeep Narwal out of the team, the Yoddhas need a new raider who can lead the attack and form a solid partnership with Surender Gill. Multi-point raid specialist Maninder Singh can solve many problems for the Yoddhas.
Singh had been the backbone of the Bengal Warriors raiding department since season five, but the Kolkata-based franchise have released him from their squad ahead of the Pro Kabaddi 2024 auction. If the Yoddhas sign Singh, they will not only have a reliable raider but also a proven leader in their squad.
If Singh continues his top form, he can lead the UP Yoddhas to their first Pro Kabaddi championship, just like he helped the Bengal Warriors become champions for the first time in 2019.
#2 Vikash Kandola
Another raider who could be on the UP Yoddhas' wishlist for the upcoming auction is Vikash Kandola. The former Haryana Steelers captain could not impress much during his stint with Bengaluru Bulls in the last two seasons.
He scored only 68 raid points in 19 matches last season and finished outside the Top 30 of the Most Raid Points list. Not many teams would be interested in Kandola's services, but he can play the support raider's role to perfection for any franchise.
UP Yoddhas should try to sign him at a bargain price so that they can have multiple specialist raiders in the squad, who can win matches single-handedly on their day.
#3 Krishan Dhull
It is quite surprising to see Krishan Dhull being released by the Patna Pirates even though he was the most successful Indian defender in the previous Pro Kabaddi League tournament. Krishan finished second on the overall Most Tackle Points list with 78 tackle points in 24 matches.
UP Yoddhas have released Nitesh Kumar from their team ahead of the Pro Kabaddi 2024 auction. Looking at the special goodbye video that the team has prepared for him, it seems unlikely that they will use the FBM card to re-sign Nitesh. If they want a new right corner defender, Krishan is the best option available in the auction pool.