'%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)
Season 8 Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) champions Dabang Delhi KC are gearing up for PKL 11 with high expectations. After a rocky start in the first five seasons of PKL, the arrival of Naveen Kumar in Season 6 changed the team’s fortunes, leading to playoff qualifications in every subsequent season, including their title-winning run in PKL 8.
In PKL 10, the team faced a major setback when Naveen Kumar was sidelined early due to injury. Despite this, Ashu Malik stepped up admirably as captain, guiding the team to a third-place finish in the table and a spot in the Eliminator. Now, with a similar squad and some new additions, Dabang Delhi are once again a strong contender for the title.
Let’s break down their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) as they prepare for PKL 11.
Strengths – A balanced lineup
One of Dabang Delhi's biggest strengths heading into PKL 11 is their balanced lineup. Under the guidance of head coach Joginder Narwal, the team has named Naveen Kumar and Ashu Malik as co-captains. Both are prolific raiders and form the backbone of the team.
Naveen, a PKL sensation, has amassed 1005 raid points in 91 games at an impressive average of 11.04. He remains one of the most consistent raiders in the league. Ashu Malik, who took over leadership last season, has equally impressive stats with 468 raid points in 68 games and was the joint-highest raid point scorer in PKL 10. Together, Naveen and Ashu will spearhead Dabang Delhi’s raiding department, and their combined experience and talent make them a formidable duo.
While the team had roped in Siddharth Desai (known as Bahubali) during the PKL 11 auction to further bolster their raiding, his unfortunate exit due to personal reasons leaves them relying on Naveen and Ashu. Still, with these two in form, Dabang Delhi’s raiding department remains in good hands.
In defense, Delhi boast solid corner defenders. Yogesh Dahiya, who plays at right corner, had a breakout season last year, winning the Emerging Player award after scoring 74 tackle points in 23 games. His counterpart, Ashish at the left corner, also delivered with 48 tackle points in 19 games. Their performance will be key in keeping Delhi’s defense tight.
Weaknesses – Inexperienced cover defenders
One of the primary weaknesses for Dabang Delhi KC heading into PKL 11 is their inexperienced cover defenders. The team's likely starters in the cover positions are Vikrant Khokar at the left cover and Gaurav Chillar at the right cover, both of whom come with limited Pro Kabaddi League experience.
Vikrant Khokar made his PKL debut last season and played 18 games, collecting 25 tackle points at an average of 1.39 tackle points per game. While he had a slow start in PKL 10, his potential was evident, and Dabang Delhi will be counting on him to take on a bigger role in defense this season. However, his inconsistency last year raises concerns about his ability to handle more responsibility in crucial moments.
Gaurav Chillar, on the other hand, is a newcomer to the Delhi squad and is expected to occupy the right cover position. Yet to make his PKL debut, Gaurav adds an element of unpredictability to the defense.
Opportunities – Youngsters to become a mainstay
This season presents a significant opportunity for Delhi’s young talents to establish themselves as mainstays in the team. Both Yogesh and Ashish, having made their debuts last season, now have the chance to build on their impressive performances and become regular fixtures in Dabang Delhi’s defense.
Additionally, the absence of Siddharth Desai opens up an opportunity for younger raiders to make a mark. If they can deliver consistent performances, they could secure their place in the team for future seasons.
Threats – Injury concerns
One of the biggest threats Dabang Delhi face heading into PKL 11 is injury concerns. With Siddharth Desai already ruled out, the team is heavily reliant on Naveen Kumar and Ashu Malik. Naveen’s injury last season highlighted the team's vulnerability when its top raider is unavailable. While Ashu Malik filled the void last time, there’s no guarantee that such a scenario can be repeated. Both co-captains will need to stay fit throughout the season to keep the team competitive.
Another potential threat is the lack of a replacement for Siddharth Desai. His absence puts additional pressure on Naveen and Ashu to carry the raiding load. Should either suffer an injury or face a dip in form, the team could struggle to find a reliable backup option.
