PKL 11 Playoffs: The team that handles the pressure best will win the title, says kabaddi legend Rahul Chaudhari
PKL 11 Playoffs: The team that handles the pressure best will win the title, says kabaddi legend Rahul Chaudhari
Ahead of the playoffs of the Pro Kabaddi League Season (PKL) 11, which kicks off on Thursday at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune, former PKL champion Rahul Chaudhari shared his list of top players of the season, his expectations from knockouts and his wish for the final.
Six teams will battle it out for the ultimate prize. Haryana Steelers and Dabang Delhi K.C. have already confirmed their place in the semi-finals courtesy a top two finish, while UP Yoddhas and Jaipur Pink Panthers will fight in Eliminator 1, and Patna Pirates and U Mumba will battle it out in Eliminator 2.
When asked about which team is the strongest in the playoffs and who might come out on top, the former player stated, “All the teams in the playoffs are dangerous. They have all played against each other in the season and got the results going their way. There is always some pressure in the playoff games and whoever maintains their composure will come out on top.
When you’re playing in the league stages and doing well, the players play without any sense of pressure and don’t think too much about the mistakes. However, in the playoffs, there are no second chances, so the pressure is always there. Whoever loses is out. So, whichever teams handles the pressure best will win the title.”
The former player with over 900 raid points also shed some light on three teams he believes that have the right balance to go the distance. “When you see UP, Haryana, Delhi they are all well balanced. They have good raiders as well as good defenders. In Haryana, Shadloui is a solid defender who picks up raid points, but they also have Vinay and Shivam Patare in the raiding unit. And if someone makes his presence felt on the defensive end, it’s Rahul Sethpal. Whenever you watch him play, he stays on the mat often. He gives his hundred percent in all matches and keeps the team together. So, all teams have amazing raiders, but defenses will decide the title.”
Apart from picking his favourite teams, Chaudhari also listed out the best players in the respective positions in the league this season. “In terms of raiding, Devank is the highest amongst the others because he gets a lot of Super Raids, much like Pardeep Narwal. Bonus and single points keep the scoreboard ticking but when you have someone who can consistently get Super Raids, it troubles the other team’s defences. If Patna are to go through, Devank will have to do the bulk of the heavy lifting. The best defender this season has been Rahul Sethpal and Hitesh from UP Yoddhas. From the new defenders that have come in, Hitesh is the standout. In terms of the best all-rounder, it has to be Mohammadreza Shadloui,” he explained.
The player-turn-broadcaster also believes that the teams finishing in first and second place have an advantage. He explained, “The top two teams have a chance to see the other teams and understand how the other teams are playing. So, it’s going to be a tough run for the other four teams.”
The former Jaipur Pink Panthers’ raider also expressed his wish to see new champion. “In the finals, I hope to see some new teams coming in. Haryana have been in and around second place for a few seasons, so maybe this is their year. The way things are going, Delhi, Haryana and Patna. Finals between UP and Haryana. Whoever keeps their defence intact, they will win the title. In the finals, it comes down to the luck factor because both teams give it their all,” Chaudhari concluded.
