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Gujarat Giants have named their captain and vice-captain for Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2024. Defender Neeraj Kumar will serve as the leader of the side while raider Guman Singh will be his deputy.
Interestingly, the Giants acquired both players in the auction in August. Neeraj captained the Patna Pirates in the last season and helped them qualify for the playoffs. However, they lost 21-37 to the eventual champions, Puneri Paltan in the semi-final.
Overall, he has amassed 172 tackle points in 80 PKL appearances, with nine High 5s.
Meanwhile, Guman was the third-most expensive player in the auction, owing to his 168-point season for U Mumba in PKL 2023. In 58 PKL appearances, he has garnered 407 points, with 20 Super 10s.
Here's what Neeraj Kumar said on his appointment as Giants captain (via Gujarat Giants):
“It is a great honor to be captaining the Gujarat Giants in this season of the PKL. The Giants family is a very close-knit unit, and we are hopeful of achieving newer things this year.
"Coach Ram Mehar has been working very hard with us in pre-season, and the Adani Sportsline team have also helped us in every possible way. We have a balanced and enthusiastic squad, and can’t wait to get onto the mat.”
Coach Ram Mehar Singh expressed his confidence in the Gujarat Giants doing well under the leadership of Neeraj and said:
“Neeraj Kumar is a very powerful player and personality in Indian kabaddi, and I am sure his presence will add another dimension to our game. Neeraj and the rest of the squad are working very hard in pre-season, and the team is also very happy to have him as the skipper. I am confident we will do well this season, and I want to also thank the management for extending to us a tremendous amount of support."
How did Gujarat Giants fare in Pro Kabaddi League 2023?
Gujarat Giants had a successful 2023 campaign under the leadership of Fazel Atrachali. They secured 13 wins in 22 games to finish fourth in the standings and qualify for the playoffs.
However, the Ahmedabad-based franchise went down 25-42 against the Haryana Steels in the Eliminator 2 to bow out of the tournament. The team's top raider was Parteek Dahiya, who scored 130 raid points. Atrachali garnered the most tackle points (62). Ahead of the auction, the team announced Dahiya's retention.
It will be interesting to see whether the team will be able to win their maiden PKL title under Neeraj Kumar.
