Top 5 players that Jaipur Pink Panthers can buy in PKL season 10 Auction
Pro Kabaddi League's most successful team and current champions Jaipur Pink Panthers might not have enough to do at the Auction table but they must also look to include some additional players for back-up.
In what will be Jaipur's 2nd time as reigning champions, they must proceed with caution if they are to defend their title. Jaipur might become only the 2nd PKL outfit to win the competition as defending champions.
Jaipur have to be prepared for any unforseen injuries or situations where players go out of form. Currently they have 4 raiders and 6 defenders at their disposal. Season 9's best raider Arjun Deshwal who took 269 raid points last year finds himself along with Bhavani Rajput, V Ajith Kumar and Devank as designated raiders.
In their defensive line, season 9's best defender Ankush has been retained along with the 4th highest and the 9th highest scoring defenders - Sunil Kumar and Sahul Kumar. Ashish, Abhishek KS and Reza Mirbagheri will play the supporting roles.
With mainly back-up players to fill and a purse of just over INR 85 Lakhs, the Pink Panthers will have a quiet day, trying to buy players at their base prices and here are 3 players that the Abhishek Bachan owned franchise can buy.
1. Nitin Rawal: A homecoming could be on the cards for Nitin Rawal who made his debut in Pro Kabaddi League as a Jaipur Pink Panthers player. The dynamic and versatile all-rounder turned out to be major a revelation in season 5, scoring a total of 85 points in just 21 matches.
The all-rounder operates as a Left-corner in the defensive structure but if we go by his stats, he is more dependable offensively, meaning he has more to do as a raider. With Jaipur having 4 raiders, Nitin Rawal can add an offensive touch and could also be a back up to other players.
2. Rohit Gulia: Panipat, Haryana born All-rounder Rohit Gulia had a decent performance last season in Patna Pirates' disappointing last season 9. The Three time champions finished 10th in PKL standings last year and finished out of the knockout spots, twice in the last 3 years.
Their underperforming season took the glow off Rohit Gulia's most successful and highest scoring season. In 293 total raids, Gulia came out successful on 148 occasions, keeping an average of 7.79 raid points per match. He is not as useful defensively but in order to keep back-ups, Rohit Gulia is a good option.
3. Ankit Hariharan Jat: With Jaipur Pink Panthers having 6 defenders in their squad - Ankush Rathee, Sahul Kumar, Abhishek KS, Reza Mirbagheri, Ashish and Sunil Kumar. All of them are going to be used rotationally, leaving them with very few options in case of injuries.
If Jaipur are heading into the auction with a futuristic approach, then one player they can go after is Rajasthan born Right corner Ankit Hariharan Jat who shined brightly during the recent Summer edition of Yuva Kabaddi Series.
Jaipur have a scarcity of Right corners and Sahul Kumar is the only recognized Right corner in the team. Ankit Hariharan Jat is a right corner who played a key role behind Aravalli Arrows' YKS Summer edition.
He finished as the season's 2nd best defender with 69 tackle points. If he is in the player pool then Jaipur will definitely look to bag him on his base price.
4. Lokesh Jaisaram Ghosliya: Another Yuva Kabaddi prospect who is expected to be among the Category D player pool during the auction. The 2005-born left corner was the one who denied Ankit Jat to become YKS Summer edition's best defender.
Lokesh collected a total of 346 points in just 106 matches, boasting a not-out percentage of 78.26. His presence offered Periyar Panthers defensive stability and Lokesh in return ended up collecting 103 tackle points.
Jaipur at this moment have one of the best of strategies in the league. Their will to maintain the core side but leaving enough space to add some fresh names and Lokesh Ghosliya is definitely worth investing.
5. Gagan Raju Gowda: Since Jaipur have very less cash to splash, their attention could turn towards YKS Summer Edition side Hampi Heroes raider Gagan Raju Gowda, who rattled opposing defenses with an excellent Raid strike rate of 93.21% in 23 matches.
Gowda might have missed out on becoming the best raider by 13 points but it must be noted that he had 16 Super 10s, just one less than Arjun Deshwal himself who racked up 17 Super 10s. In terms of a like-to-like replacement, Gowda is yet to reach the level but he has showcased great skills.
With every player's future lying on their own hands and hard work the auction on 8th and 9th September will be decisive.
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