PKL 10: Bengal Warriors Entrust Maninder Singh with Captaincy for Pro Kabaddi League 2023
As the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 10 approaches, the Bengal Warriors, former champions and eager contenders, have named the seasoned raider Maninder Singh as their captain. The announcement, made in Kolkata on November 22, 2023, adds an extra layer of anticipation to the upcoming season set to kick off on December 2nd in Ahmedabad.
Maninder Singh, an integral part of the Bengal Warriors since the 2017 season, previously led the team to its maiden PKL title in 2019. The 33-year-old raider, acquired by the Bengal Warriors via the Final Bid Match option at the recent Player Auction for INR 2.12 Crores, emerged as the third-highest player in the league, emphasizing his significance to the team.
Having reached a milestone in Season 9 by surpassing the 1000-point mark, Maninder Singh stands out as one of the most prolific raiders in PKL history. His return to the Bengal Warriors, coupled with the league reverting to the caravan format, has heightened expectations for an outstanding performance by the team.
In a special statement following his reunion with the Bengal Warriors, Maninder Singh expressed his joy, stating, "I couldn't have been happier that Bengal Warriors have got me back in the set-up. I am honoured to be back with this team and being named as the captain as well. This is a big responsibility, one which I intend to fulfill with all my might."
Acknowledging the support from new owners and management in Capri Sports, Maninder highlighted the special nature of this season and conveyed his eagerness to return to the mat and engage with the fans.
Coach K. Baskaran praised Maninder's exceptional skills, noting his status as one of the best raiders in PKL. Baskaran emphasized Maninder's crucial role as both captain and raider, anticipating his experience to guide and inspire the team in their quest for a second PKL title.
The Bengal Warriors will commence their PKL 10 campaign against the Bengaluru Bulls on December 4th at The Arena by TransStadia in Ahmedabad. Subsequent fixtures will take the team to Bengal in February, where they are set to face Gujarat Giants, Telugu Titans, U Mumba, and Puneri Paltan.
Apurv Gupta, Senior Vice-President, of Contact Sports, expressed confidence in Maninder Singh's leadership, stating, "Maninder Singh is one of the strongest Kabaddi players in the country, and we could not be happier about the fact that he will be the captain of the Bengal Warriors. His leadership qualities are unparalleled, and we are confident that he will lead by example."
As fans eagerly await the commencement of PKL Season 10, the Bengal Warriors, under the leadership of Maninder Singh, are poised for an exciting journey, with hopes of clinching the coveted trophy once again.
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