'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Bengaluru Bulls, a team with a rich history in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), finalized their list of retained players ahead of the much-anticipated Season 11 Player Auction. Despite a disappointing 8th-place finish in Season 10, the Bulls have opted to retain some young players and look to build a stronger unit for the upcoming season.
The PKL 2024 Auction, scheduled for August 15 and 16, will be a crucial opportunity for the Bulls to address the gaps in their squad and make a comeback.
In Season 10, the Bulls had a challenging run, ultimately failing to make it to the playoffs. However, some notable individual performances stood out, particularly from young players. Saurabh Nandal, one of the key players retained by the Bulls, was decent in defense, racking up 49 tackle points.
Sushil, another standout performer, impressed with 100 raid points, showcasing his raiding abilities and providing the team with some much-needed points. Additionally, young raider Akshit Dhull was a revelation, scoring 61 raid points from just 10 games, proving that he has the potential to become a key player for the Bulls in the future.
The retention of these players indicates the franchise's strategy to invest in a blend of experience and emerging talent.
On the flip side, the Bengaluru Bulls decided to release a significant number of players, including some big names. Among the notable releases are Bharat Hooda and Vikas Kandola, both of whom failed to live up to expectations in the previous season. Bharat managed only 103 raid points from 18 matches, a performance that fell short of the team's needs. Vikas Kandola, another big gun, struggled throughout the season, scoring just 68 raid points from 19 games.
One of the most surprising moves by the Bulls was the release of Surjeet Singh, who was arguably their best defender in Season 10. Surjeet amassed 56 tackle points and was a crucial part of the team’s defense. His release raises questions about the Bulls' defensive strategy going into Season 11, as they will now need to find a capable replacement in the auction.
Other players who were released include Sachin Narwal, Ran Singh, Yash Hooda, Sudar, Aman, Ankit, Vishal, Md. Liton Ali, Rakshith, Neeraj Narwal, Abhishek Singh, Monu, Bunty, and Piotr Pamulak. With such a large number of players being released, the Bengaluru Bulls have a significant task ahead of them to rebuild and strengthen their squad.
Bengaluru Bulls: Retained players list
Elite Retained Players: Ponparthiban Subramanian, Sushil, Rohit Kumar
Retained Young Players: Saurabh Nandal
Existing New Young Players: Aditya Shankar Powar, Akshit, Arulnanthababu, Parteek
Bengaluru Bulls: Released players list
Surjeet Singh, Bharat Hooda, Sachin Narwal, Ran Singh, Yash Hooda, Sudar, Aman, Ankit, Vishal, Md. Liton Ali, Rakshith, Vikash Kandola, Neeraj Narwal, Abhishek Singh, Monu, Bunty, Piotr Pamulak
