This year Senior Nationals Kabaddi Championships (AKFI), one of the most recognised Kabaddi events will happen in Roha (Raigad) between 28-31st January 2018. Most superstars from Prokabaddi League will be seen playing for their National team. Siddharth Desai, one of the top raiders from PKL6 might miss the nationals.  Siddharth Desai scored an unbelievable 321 points at a strike rate of 68% to take U Mumba to the playoffs; only 4 players had a strike rate more than 60 in PKL6. 

Siddharth Desai is a part of Railways, although he is keen to represent Maharashtra in the Nationals. Maharashtra team conducted a camp (at Raigad Kabaddi Association, Alibaug) for 30 players and selected 12, including Siddharth Sirish Desai. 

Siddharth Desai was absent from the Railways Camp (at Mumbai) and thus was not selected in the Railways team. He however represented South Central Railways at Railways Nationals conducted in Bangalore where his stupendous performance took his team to victory. Since then, Siddharth Desai has submitted his resignation to Railways to clear his way to represent Maharashtra; however not accepted by them. He is tied to a 5-year bond with Railways. 

Siddharth comments , “I wish to play from Maharashtra team. In the nationals, I will play from Maharashtra team only. But I can’t comment on whatever is happening.”

With just 5 days remaining, it is not clear whether Siddharth Desai will play in the nationals. It will be quite unfortunate if a player with the calibre of Siddharth Desai is not allowed to play in Kabaddi Nationals.