The Best Seven in Pro Kabaddi League

Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has revolutionized Indian sports and enabled talent from rural India to rise to the top. It has also generated a huge fan base, making it the second most watched sports league across India after IPL. Players from different parts of India have graced the court with their skill and agility, providing a much awaited platform to excel in their game. The PKL All-time starting VII comprises of some very talented players who not only excelled on the field but also managed to earn recognition beyond it. It is a matter of great honour for each one of them as they are counted among the best 7 kabaddi players around. Interestingly all seven players have been part of Pro Kabaddi since its inception and their feat is no less than legendary!

1.Naveen Kumar

Naveen “Express” has had a great career in the Pro Kabaddi League and made a mark right from his maiden season. Guided by coach Krishan Kumar Hooda, Naveen enabled Dabang Delhi KC to make it to the playoffs with 177 raid points. It is no wonder that he is known as the Naveen Express because of his lightning fast raiding and consistency. His career reached its peak with season 8 when he Chartedered a new course for Dabang Delhi KC by leading them to their first ever title win. He was ably assisted by Vijay Malik but it is Naveen Express who singlehandedly took care of the raiding department. He was at his best, reaching 600 raid points mark faster than anyone else in PKL history and rightly got recognized with the MVP award!

2.Pardeep Narwal

Pardeep Narwal has made a mark in Pro Kabaddi League since he debuted with Bengaluru Bulls back in season two. His journey has been nothing short of remarkable, going on to represent three teams during his career – Bengaluru Bulls, Patna Pirates and UP Yoddhas. In season three with the Pirates, the dubki king was a force to be reckoned with as he scored 121 points in 16 matches and played an integral role in the team’s historic title win under coach Sanjeev Baliyan. He also is credited for becoming the first raider in PKL history to score 1500 raid points and achieved this feat while playing for UP Yoddhas in season nine. Although his performance may have declined over the years, Pardeep Narwal’s name will remain etched in Pro Kabaddi lore forever.

3.Maninder Singh

Maninder Singh is a truly remarkable name in Sports History. Starting as the star raider for Jaipur Pink Panthers in the inaugural edition of the Pro-Kabaddi League, he scored an incredible 130 raid points to lift the title. Statistically, he was the third most successful raider at that edition. Unfortunately, Maninder suffered from an injury and could not take part in three consecutive seasons. However, his comeback to represent Bengal Warriors in season 5 paid off with 190 raid points helping him find his strength and form back. The raider led Bengal Warriors to grab their first ever Pro-Kabaddi League title in season 7 and created history by becoming the fastest player to reach 400 and 500 raid points.

4.Mohit Chillar

The right-cover defender has been a mainstay in the PKL since its inception. He started his career with Bengaluru Bulls and quickly made a name for himself as one of the best defenders in the league. He then shifted base to U Mumba and won the maiden PKL title in season 2. He formed a deadly combination with Surendar Nada and was one of the main reasons for U Mumba’s success. In season 3, he again had a great season and crossed the 50 tackle points mark. Overall, the defender has represented Bengaluru Bulls, U Mumba, Haryana Steelers, Jaipur Pink Panthers, and Tamil Thalaivas in his PKL career. He last played for Tamil Thalaivas in season 7 and scored 37 tackle points.

5.Sandeep Narwal

Sandeep Narwal rose to the limelight with a remarkable tally of 119 points in the inaugural season of the Pro Kabaddi League, while representing Patna Pirates. He was well known for his solo back-hold attack, which gave predators little chance against his formidable physique. Sandeep Narwal led the Pirates to the semifinal rounds in season 2, rising further as a star allrounder. His impact was witnessed when U Mumba signed him up during the season 7 auctions at a price tag of 89 lakhs. Unfortunately, he could not deliver on expectations and went unsold in season 9 before eventually being acquired by UP Yoddhas as a substitute. Though some may see it as a backwards step for him, Narwal remains an important asset for any squad both on and off field.

6.Manjeet Chillar

Manjeet Chillar is one of the most decorated players in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). He started his career with Bengaluru Bulls in the inaugural season, where he was coached by Randhir Singh Sehrawat. Manjeet proved himself a valuable asset to the team, smashing the 50 point mark for tackles and being awarded defender of the tournament for his incredible defensive skills. His all round ability earned him yet another accolade when he was titled Most Valuable Player of Season 2 and helped propel Bengaluru Bulls to the grand finals. It wasn’t long before Manjeet decided to hone in on his defensive abilities, eventually making his last professional appearance with Dabang Delhi K.C. Throughout his illustrious career, Manjeet has scored 391 tackle points – second only in the league’s history – undoubtedly cementing himself as a PKL legend.

7.Fazel Atrachali

Fazel Atrachali is a name known worldwide in the celebrated sport of kabaddi. His career with the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) began in season 2, representing U Mumba, and his success was nothing short of remarkable. He had already gained international attention from representing Iran in two Asian Games and captaining the side in 2014. His performance in Season 3 as a member of the title-winning Patna Pirates team was instrumental. For PKL Seasons 6 and 7, Fazel scored an impressive 83 and 84 points respectively. He rose above Manjeet Chhillar to become the most successful defender in PKL. 2018 brought yet another amazing triumph as he was part of the Iranian team that beat India for gold at the Asian Games – a feat dubbed “Sultan” by his fellow countrymen. With so much success under his belt, Fazel Atrachali is unsurprisingly still talked about by many kabaddi fans around the world today.