PKL 2024: Top X-Factors that could define the outcome in PKL 11

The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) season 11 is all set to begin on 18 October 2024, the date has been confirmed by the organiser. PKL 11 will be played in a 3-city caravan format. The cities that will get all the action are - Hyderabad, Noida, and Pune. Meanwhile, all the franchises are gearing up for the upcoming season and have X-factors who can turn the tide in the team’s favour.

Puneri Paltan has a formidable team and will defend their title in PKL 11. They have a strong defensive and offensive lineup, who will be playing under the guidance of head coach BC Ramesh. Aslam Inamdar is the captain and will be the X-factor of the team. Aslam is one of the most talented raiders who scored 142 raid points in PKL 10. Additionally, he contributed in defence too, he scored 26 tackle points in PKL 10 with 1 High 5. Aslam can be the Ace of Trump for Puneri Paltan in PKL 11.

The PKL season 7 champion, Bengal Warriorz has a great PKL 11 player auction. They bought Fazel Atrachali for 50 Lakhs rupees, who can prove to be X-factor for the team. Fazel, potentially can be the captain of the team and will be leading the defensive front of the team. With his tremendous experience and terrific defence skills (62 tackle points in PKL 10), Fazel will play an important role in taking Warriorz to the victory.

Bengaluru Bulls, the champion of PKL season 6, bought several star players in PKL 11 player auction. Pardeep Narwal and Ajinkya Pawar, both are the best raiders who can turn the tide in team’s favour. However, the ‘Dubki King’ Pardeep Narwal will be the X-factor for the team as he has the potential to single-handedly change the course of the match. Pardeep has the most raid points (1690) in the history of PKL, and set to win the matches for the team he has started his PKL career with in season 2, the Bengaluru Bulls. Once again Kabaddi fans will see the duo of Randhir Sehrawat and Pardeep Narwal.

Joginder Narwal has been promoted to the role of head coach in the Dabang Delhi KC camp. Another good news for the team is that Naveen Kumar Goyat has successfully recovered from his injury. He is now ready to lead the team and win another PKL trophy. In PKL season 8, Dabang Delhi won the PKL title, where Naveen scored 207 raid points in just 17 games, averaging 12.18 raid points per match. In the PKL 10, before the injury, he has 71 raid points in just 6 matches. In PKL 11, he will be the captain and X-factor of the Dabang Delhi KC.

Gujarat Giants is one of the teams who have reached the finals of the tournament but failed to clinch the title. But this time in PKL 11, table may turn as they have acquired the services of Guman Singh, a premier raider with wide range of raiding skills. Guman may prove to be X-factor for the Giants as they look to get hands on their first ever PKL title.

Just like the Gujarat Giants, Haryana Steelers is another team that has been into the final but ended on the wrong side. The PKL 11, can be a turnaround season for Haryana as they have bolstered their defence by adding Mohhamadreza Shadlou to the squad. Manpreet Singh, the head coach of Steelers bought Shadlou for 2.07 crore rupees, who can be the X-factor of the team. Shadlou has all the skill set to build a solid resume for himself. Whether you need him on the defensive front or the offensive front, Shadlou can get it done. Talking about his defensive skills, he amassed 99 tackle points in PKL 10. While in the Asian Games 2023 final, he scored Super 10 against a formidable Indian defensive lineup. For sure Mohammadreza Shadlou will be the X-factor for Haryana Steelers.

The two-time champions, Jaipur Pink Panthers look balanced for the PKL 11. In the guidance of head coach Sanjeev Baliyan, the Panthers are ready to clinch another PKL title. In PKL 11, Arjun Deshwal can be the X-factor for the Panthers as the highest points scorer for the team for the last two seasons. In PKL 9 he amassed a staggering 296 raid points and in PKL 10 he scored 276 raid points.

Patna Pirates is the only team that has won three PKL titles, that too consecutively in seasons 3, 4 and 5. In PKL 11, Jang Kun Lee can be the X-factor for the Pirates as he is an impressive raider. He has vast experience under his belt, having played from season 1 to season 7. From PKL 1 to 6 he played with Bengal Warriors but for the 7th season, he was associated with Patna Pirates. Although Lee has not played a single match since PKL 7, he can turn the table in the favour of the Pirates.

Tamil Thalaivas is one of the two teams which comes from the southern part of India. Despite having amazing players in the squad, Thalaivas has failed to live up to the expectations. To change the fortune in PKL 11, Thalaivas has bought Do-or-Die raid specialist Sachin Tanwar for a whopping 2.15 crore rupees, making him the most expensive player in the PKL 11. Sachin will be the X-factor for the Thalaivas who will play a crucial role in taking them to victory.

Another team from the southern part of India is Telugu Titans. Despite having Pawan Sehrawat, one of the most prolific raiders, the Titans finished last in the points table. However, this may change in PKL 11 as Pawan Sehrawat will play the role of captain and X-factor too. Titans used FBM card to buy back Pawan at 1.725 crore rupees. Pawan scored 202 raid point in PKL 10. Pawan also developed his defensive skills and scored 17 tackle points in the last season. With both offensive and defensive skills, Pawan Sehrawat can prove to be X-factor for the Titans. 

The champion of PKL season 2, U Mumba are all set to take on any team in PKL 11. U Mumba has not won any title since season 2 but in PKL 11 things may change as the franchise has acquired Sunil Kumar. Sunil won the PKL title as a captain with Jaipur Pink Panthers in season 9. Now he will lead the U Mumba and can be the X-factor of the team.

UP Yoddhas, since its inception in the Pro Kabaddi League has always qualified for the playoffs except for PKL 10. Despite qualifying for the playoffs several times, Yoddhas never the PKL title. In PKL 11, UP Yoddhas will aim to win their first title with Bharat Hooda at helm as X-factor of the team. The lanky raider has 497 raid points to his name and will be crucial for Yoddhas victory in PKL 11.