Dabangg Delhi KC was the most inconsistent team in Pro Kabaddi League during the first five seasons. Delhi finished sixth in the first season, then seventh in the second and eighth in the third edition of the league. In season four, they barely managed to avoid the wooden spoon, while in the subsequent tournament, they returned to the last spot, with five wins in 22 matches.
However, the team’s fortunes turned around after Naveen Kumar joined the team in season six. The youngster’s consistent performances in the raiding unit helped Delhi qualify for the playoffs in the sixth season. The defense also became much more consistent as they finished runners-up in Pro Kabaddi League last year.
The picks
As mentioned ahead, Naveen Kumar played a massive role in the team’s success during the last two seasons. The youngster has scored 480 points for the team in only 45 matches. With 30 Super 10s in just two seasons, Kumar has shattered many records in the Pro Kabaddi League. The Running Hand Touch specialist scored a Super 10 in 22 out of the 23 matches he played in season seven. Hence, he is an obvious pick for the all-time seven’s lead raider.
Iranian all-rounder Meraj Sheykh has been a significant part of Dabangg Delhi KC in the last four seasons. After plying his trade for Telugu Titans in the second and third seasons, Sheykh switched to Delhi. The Scorpion Kick specialist has amassed 318 points for the franchise, including six Super 10s. He has also contributed his bit in the defense with six super tackles in four seasons.
Right corner defender Ravinder Pahal has been an indispensable part of Dabangg Delhi KC’s defense in the Pro Kabaddi League. He has been a part of the squad in five seasons, and in the second season, he topped the defenders’ leaderboard. Pahal’s 63 tackle points in 23 games assisted Naveen Kumar in the team. Nicknamed as ‘The Hawk,’ the diving thigh hold specialist has recorded 17 High 5s for Delhi.
The debate
Ravinder Pahal is at the right corner position, but three players have done well for Dabangg Delhi KC at the left corner position.
The first option is Amit Singh Chhillar. He played three seasons for Delhi, scoring 46 tackle points. The inaugural season was his best as Amit scored 29 tackle points, including one High 5.
The second candidate is the current Jaipur Pink Panthers’ defender Sandeep Kumar Dhull. Sandeep was extraordinary in season six for Jaipur, but not many fans would remember that Sandeep made his Pro Kabaddi League debut as a part of the Dabangg Delhi KC team. The left corner defender scored 32 tackle points in 10 matches of the only season he played for Delhi.
The last choice available is the team’s current skipper Joginder Singh Narwal. The veteran defender has performed exceptionally well during the previous two seasons, with 110 tackle points in 44 matches. His captaincy skills have also worked wonders for Dabangg Delhi KC. Thus, he easily beats the other two contenders for the left corner position.
There are three options for the left cover position: Anil Kumar, Sachin Shingade, and Rakesh Singh Kumar. Anil made his Pro Kabaddi League debut for Delhi in season 3 and ended the tournament with 19 tackle points in 11 matches. He returned to the team last year, and there was a massive improvement in his performance as Kumar aggregated 39 tackle points in 19 games.
Sachin Shingade was famous for his dashing skills. The left cover defender was the most successful tackler for Delhi in season 4, as he scored 44 tackle points in 14 matches. The other defenders could not support him well. Still, Sachin registered four High 5s and executed five super tackles in that edition of PKL.
Last, Rakesh Singh Kumar featured in the Dabangg Delhi KC squad during the first three seasons. The left cover defender managed to score 25 tackle points in 30 appearances for Delhi. Comparing the three defenders’ numbers, Sachin Shingade takes the left cover spot.
There have not been too many great right cover defenders in the Dabangg Delhi KC team. However, Jasmer Singh Gulia was a right defender who had an excellent outing for Delhi in the first season. Jasmer, who has retired from the game now, scored 38 tackle points in 14 matches and was the fourth-best defender of the season. Since there is not much competition for this spot, Jasmer takes the right cover position.
Finally, Kashiling Adake is the only player missing in this team. The frog jump specialist was the face of the franchise in the first four years. Adake was the top raider of season two as he scored 114 raid points in just 14 games. With 406 raid points in 52 matches, Kashiling ensured that Delhi gave a tough fight to its opponents during the first four seasons.
Playing Seven Stats for Dabangg Delhi KC
Left Corner - Joginder Singh Narwal
Matches - 44, Tackle Points - 110
Left In - Meraj Sheykh
Matches - 70, Raid Points - 294
Left Cover - Sachin Shingade
Matches - 14, Tackle Points - 44
Center - Naveen Kumar
Matches - 45, Raid Points - 473
Right Cover - Jasmer Singh Gulia
Matches - 14, Tackle Points - 38
Right In - Kashiling Adake
Matches - 52, Raid Points - 406
Right Corner - Ravinder Pahal
Matches - 79, Tackle Points - 237
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