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As the 11th season of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) approaches, excitement is building among fans and teams alike. The upcoming players' auction, set to take place on August 15 and 16 in Mumbai, will see all 12 teams making crucial decisions to shape their squads for the new season.
Among the many considerations for team management, one of the most critical is leadership. Captains play a vital role in guiding their teams on and off the mat, and with several high-profile releases ahead of the auction, a few teams find themselves in need of new leaders.
Three prominent teams - Bengal Warriorz, Gujarat Giants, and Patna Pirates, have let go of their captains, leaving them with a significant void in leadership. These teams have retained a mix of emerging and young players, none of whom seem likely to step into the captaincy role. As the auction approaches, the search for a new captain will be a priority for these franchises, as they look to build a squad capable of competing for the PKL title.
Here, we look at the three teams that are most in need of new captains ahead of the Pro Kabaddi 2024 season.
Pro Kabaddi 2024 Auction: 3 teams looking for captains
#3 Bengal Warriorz
The Bengal Warriorz have made a bold move by releasing their captain and star player, Maninder Singh. Maninder has been an influential figure for the Warriorz, leading the team with his experience and consistent performances. His release comes as a surprise to many, as he has been a key player for the team in the Pro Kabaddi League.
The Warriorz have retained several players, including Vishwas S, Nitin Kumar, Shreyas Umbardand, Aditya S. Shinde, Dipak Arjun Shinde, and Maharudra Garje. However, none of these players seem likely to take on the captaincy role.
Unless Bengal Warriorz plan to buy back Maninder Singh in the auction, they will need to find a new leader who can step into his shoes. The new captain will need to bring not only experience and skill but also the ability to inspire and guide the team through the challenges of a competitive Pro Kabaddi season.
#2 Gujarat Giants
The Gujarat Giants have also made a significant decision by releasing their captain and defensive stalwart, Fazel Atrachali. Fazel, widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the Pro Kabaddi League, led the Giants with 62 tackle points in Season 10. His experience and leadership were invaluable to the team.
The Giants have retained players such as Balaji D, Jitender Yadav, Parteek Dahiya, Rakesh, and Nitin. However, similar to the Warriorz, none of these players appear to be viable candidates for captaincy.
Fazel’s departure leaves a leadership vacuum in the Giants' camp, and they will need to find a capable replacement in the auction. The team will likely be looking for a player who not only excels on the mat but also possesses the leadership qualities necessary to lead a team.
#1 Patna Pirates
Patna Pirates, one of the most successful teams in PKL history, have also parted ways with their captain, Neeraj Kumar. Neeraj’s release means the Pirates now face the challenge of finding a new leader who can steer the team forward. The Pirates have retained players like Ankit, Sandeep Kumar, Manish, Abinand Subhash, Kunal Mehta, and Sudhakar M. However, none of these players stand out as obvious choices for captaincy.
With Neeraj’s exit, the Pirates will be on the lookout for a player with both the experience and the temperament to lead a team that has consistently been a contender for the Pro Kabaddi League title.
Neeraj, who was later out due to injury last season, was replaced by Sachin Tanwar as captain. However, the Pirates have released Sachin as well.
The auction will provide the Pirates with the opportunity to identify and secure a new captain who can uphold the team’s legacy and lead them to further success.
