Mid-term is here!
As the Pro Kabaddi League completes Week 6 and the teams in contention move closer to the Super Play-offs - featuring the top 3 teams from each zone - exactly another six weeks away, ESPN presents the mid-tournament report card of the Big 12.
Note: The sequence of the teams is in the same order as the current standings.
Zone A-
Team: Gujarat Fortunegiants
W/L: Won 7, Lost 3, Tied 2
What's clicked?
Everything. Gujarat came in as one of the four new teams but have built their reputation as one of the most consistent teams this year. Captain Sukesh Hegde has led the team with panache and managed to create a well-balanced side, with new talent (raider Sachin) and experienced defenders (Fazel Atrachali and Abozar Mighani).
What hasn't?
Hegde hasn't rotated the team all that often, relying on a few core members mostly. However, he'll need to assess the overall depth of his side to see where they can go from here. They would look to stay on top as the group-toppers are guaranteed two chances to make the final.
Play-off probability
High. It'll be surprising if they don't make it. They need to start rotating more and taking more risks with the team in order to avoid being predictable as teams have started to make better plans for them in the last week.
Rating: 9/10.
***
Team:
U Mumba
W/L: Won 6, Lost 6
What's clicked?
Anup Kumar's calm style of captaincy. Mumba used to be a star-studded team, but is now run by Anup with a bunch of young players in support. He is extremely patient and lets the team learn from their mistakes - which they have - slowly and steadily. The presence of proven performers like Darshan Kadian and Kashiling Adake has added a sense of stability to the youthful side.
What hasn't?
Sloppy defence. They concede too many points - sometimes unnecessarily - out of zest. Young defender Surinder Singh has scored the most points for the team in defence (33) but has also made an equal amount of mistakes (52 unsuccessful tackles), often conceding easy points to opposing teams.
Play-off probability
They can, but they'll need to work on their defence and bring back the likes of Shabeer Bapu to the team to take the pressure off Anup.
Rating: 6/10.
***
Team: Haryana Steelers
W/L: Won 5, Lost 2, Tied 2
What's clicked?
Their defence looked one of the best on paper, boasting the likes of Mohit Chhillar and Surender Nada in the right and left corner and it is their partnership that has enabled the team to do equally well in both defence and raiding.
What hasn't?
Decision-making. When forced to make a quick decision, captain Surender has ended up making rushed calls often, for instance getting a simple angle wrong during a tackle to concede a point. Also, once the two top defenders are benched, the team ends up conceding too many points as there is a leadership vacuum.
Play-off probability
Depends on their Plan B. With teams like Jaipur and Pune in contention, the team needs to figure out tactics that will help them to stay in the match even without their top two defenders in action.
Rating: 7/10.
***
Team: Puneri Paltan
W/L: Won 6, Lost 2
What's clicked?
Deepak Niwas Hooda. He has scored effortlessly with his raids and has built a team that looks solid overall. Pune have played the least number of matches so far, which is why they are placed fourth, but they will be well-rested going into the final six weeks.
What hasn't?
They haven't played the experienced Dharmaraj Cheralathan all that much, nor have they rotated their squad to give a chance to the newcomers. While their current team looks strong, more risks need to be taken and rotations conducted so as to give players like Sandeep Narwal and Rajesh Mondal a chance to lead the side.
Play-off probability
Bright. Considering how heavy the next six weeks will be for them, Pune need to rotate their team smartly, while keeping at least a couple of the senior members in the playing seven.
Rating: 7/10.
***
Team: Jaipur Pink Panthers
W/L: Won 5, Lost 4
What's clicked?
Their perfect mix of newcomers and veterans. Jaipur are not just about Manjeet Chhillar and Jasvir Singh anymore, they are also about Sunil Siddhgavali and Kamal Kishor. The team gambled by bringing in a debutant in Sunil out of nowhere in the defence, making Jasvir the captain and resting Manjeet in crucial matches, but it has paid dividends so far.
What hasn't?
Manjeet's form. Jasvir too, despite scoring several points for the team, often ends up leaving them in the lurch owing to his temperament. The seniors need to find a way to be there for the young side.
Play-off probability
Tricky. One of their top bids, K Selvamani, hasn't played much and now will be the time to cash in on his steady raiding skills. They also need to find a way to tame Jasvir to make him play for a longer duration.
Rating: 6/10.
***
Team: Delhi Dabang KC
W/L: Won 4, Lost 5, Tied 1
What's clicked?
Meraj Sheykh has been a consistent performer for the team, both while scoring raids and tackling. He has been the dominant force for a team that has otherwise been ordinary. Defender Nilesh Shinde, along with teammate Bajirao Hodage, has formed a solid partnership in defence, but overall, Delhi look like a jigsaw that is yet to find a few missing pieces.
What hasn't?
Coordination. When the raiders do well, the defence falls flat and vice versa. One reason for the same is the lack of communication between Iranian captain Sheykh and the team. The team is often seen confiding to Shinde on the mat.
Play-off probability
Unlikely. They'll need a serious u-turn, assess the remaining fixtures and perhaps bring in as much experience as they can into the first team. They might even need to look for a change in the leadership.
Rating: 4/10.
***
Zone B-
Team: Bengal Warriors
W/L: Won 6, Lost 4, Tied 4
What's clicked?
Surjeet Singh's captaincy has worked wonders for Bengal. They perhaps have the most balanced side in the tournament with Surjeet leading the well-coordinated defence and their raiders including the dependable Maninder Singh and versatile Deepak Narwal besides the electric Jang Kun Lee.
What hasn't?
While they have rotated their team well, Surjeet has been a part of every match that Bengal have played. His tactics have proven to be important for the team, but it is essential for them to figure out a way to keep their captain away from fatigue and challenge themselves with someone else leading the side as well.
Play-off probability
Likely. All they need to do is to carry on with the momentum and rest Surjeet for a few matches to keep him fresh for the big matches towards the business end.
Rating: 8.5/10.
***
Team: Patna Pirates
W/L: Won 5, Lost 2, Tied 2
What's clicked?
Two-time defending champions Patna have had a very strong season so far, with captain Pardeep Narwal leading from the front, scoring the highest raid points - 115 and counting - in the league. Experienced raider Monu Goyat has ably supported Pardeep by delivering in crucial situations.
What hasn't?
They haven't rotated the squad much in six weeks. Pardeep has played in almost every match, and their young defence hasn't been tested a lot with the former's prolific raiding giving them big leads. Once they rotate and rest Pardeep, the defence might feel the pressure and the team might find it difficult to find the right substitutes.
Play-off probability
High, but they need to rest Pardeep at some point. They can make the final six only if they are willing to experiment a bit more with their new talent. And if they don't, there will be a risk of fatigue and injuries.
Rating: 8/10.
***
Team: UP Yoddha
W/L: Won 4, Lost 5, Tied 3
What's clicked?
The raiders, with Nitin Tomar and Rishank Devadiga leading the pack. Devadiga, after a successful year at Mumba in Season 4, has been the back-bone of the team with his quick raids and presence of mind. Tomar, though inconsistent, has been effective from time to time.
What hasn't?
Tomar, bought for a staggering Rs. 93 lakh, has been hot and cold this season. He hasn't been able to lead the side well, often falling short in organising the defence. From the raiding point of view, apart from Devadiga and Tomar, no one has stood out in the side despite them trying several different options.
Play-off probability
Unlikely, unless Tomar finds his rhythm, both as a captain and raider. The team has a long way to go, and six weeks might be too less a time.
Rating: 6/10.
***
Team: Telugu Titans
W/L: Won 3, Lost 9, Tied 1
What's clicked?
This hasn't been their season. Rahul has done well individually, scoring 90 points so far. Newcomers Vikas and Vishal Bhardwaj have impressed in the defence too and can be counted among the stars of the future.
What hasn't?
Titans have been one of the most popular teams, courtesy captain Rahul Chaudhari, but their big names including the likes of all-rounder Rakesh Kumar and raider Nilesh Salunke have come a cropper this season.
Play-off probability
Low. They need to take a break and look into what all went wrong for them, and start looking at players that might serve them well in the coming seasons.
Rating: 4/10.
***
Team: Bengaluru Bulls
W/L: Won 3, Lost 7, Tied 1
What's clicked?
The team showed glimpses of promise in their performances in the initial few weeks. One reason for the same was Rohit Kumar's sublime raiding, which has been consistent from the first match. Defenders Kuldeep Singh and Mahender Singh have seemingly worked well too.
What hasn't?
They haven't been able to function well as a whole despite doing well individually. Co-ordination is something they need to work on.
Play-off probability
Only on the condition that Rohit starts focusing on guiding his young team as much as scoring raid points.
Rating: 5/10.
***
Team: Tamil Thalaivas
W/L: Won 1, Lost 6, Tied 2
What's clicked?
The defence of this team, led by newcomers Darshan and C Arun, has been very good and has often scored most of the points in their matches. Ajay Thakur has been reasonably effective, scoring 7-10 points in every match.
What hasn't?
No other raiders apart from Thakur have managed to perform well. The team is relatively new and lacks the experience to deliver in crunch moments, relying solely on their captain at such moments.
Play-off probability
Slim. They will have to bring in atleast two other raiders who can help Thakur score more and take the team ahead.
Rating: 5/10.
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