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Season 8 champions Dabang Delhi KC have been one of the most consistent teams in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Despite losing their star raider Naveen Kumar mid-season due to injury last year, they managed to put up an inspiring performance.
Ashu Malik stepped in as captain and performed exceptionally well, finishing as the joint-top raider with 276 raid points in 23 games. He helped Delhi finish third in the points table, although they fell short in the Eliminator against the Patna Pirates.
With PKL 11 approaching, the Dabang Delhi KC is ready to make a comeback with Naveen Kumar back in action and new exciting additions to the squad. Under the guidance of new head coach and former PKL captain Joginder Narwal, Delhi aims to lift the PKL title for the second time.
With Naveen Kumar and Ashu Malik named as co-captains for PKL 11, let’s take a look at their potential Playing 7 for the season.
#1 Naveen Kumar (Raider)
Known as the "Naveen Express," Naveen Kumar is set to make his return to PKL 11 after missing out on the majority of last season due to injury. Naveen is one of the most exciting and consistent raiders in PKL history, having accumulated a staggering 1,005 raid points in just 91 games, averaging 11.04 raid points per match— the highest in PKL history.
He was instrumental in Delhi's Season 8 title-winning campaign and is expected to be the cornerstone of their raiding unit once again.
#2 Vikrant Khokar (Left Cover)
Vikrant Khokar made his PKL debut last season for Dabang Delhi in the left cover position. Although he had a slow start with only 25 tackle points in 18 games, his potential was evident. With a full season under his belt, Vikrant is expected to improve and take on a bigger role in the defense this year.
#3 Gaurav Chillar (Right Cover)
A new face in the Delhi squad, Gaurav Chillar, is expected to occupy the right cover position. Having yet to make his PKL debut, Gaurav brings some unpredictability to the defense. Alongside Vikrant at left cover, Delhi’s cover defense might be a bit of a gamble, but it also presents an opportunity for Gaurav to prove his mettle in his first season.
#4 Ashu Malik (Raider)
Ashu Malik stepped up for Dabang Delhi in PKL 10, taking over as captain when Naveen Kumar was sidelined. He delivered a stellar performance, finishing as the joint-top raider with 276 raid points in 23 games.
In his overall PKL career, Ashu has played 68 matches and amassed 468 raid points at an average of 6.88. He will be a key figure in Dabang Delhi’s raiding trio, along with Naveen and Siddharth Desai.
#5 Siddharth Desai (Raider)
Siddharth Desai, popularly known as "Bahubali" for his powerful raiding style, is another exciting addition to the Dabang Delhi squad. He had a brilliant start to his PKL career, scoring over 220 raid points in each of his first two seasons with the U Mumba and the Telugu Titans.
However, his performance has been hampered by injuries and inconsistent form over the last few seasons, managing only 82 points in 17 games last year. Delhi has shown faith in him, and with support from Naveen and Ashu, Siddharth has the potential to return to his peak form.
#6 Yogesh (Right Corner)
Yogesh was the Emerging Player of the Season in PKL 10 after a fantastic debut campaign. He scored 74 tackle points in 23 games, finishing third on the list of most tackle points. Now, as he enters PKL 11, Yogesh is expected to lead the defensive unit, particularly at the right corner, where his ability to make swift tackles will be crucial.
#7 Ashish (Left Corner)
Ashish, who made his debut last season, played as the left-corner defender for Dabang Delhi KC. He was chosen over more experienced players like Vishal Bhardwaj and delivered an impressive performance with 48 tackle points in 19 games.
He’s likely to retain his spot this season, providing Delhi with a solid defensive option alongside Yogesh in the corners.
