Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) legend Anup Kumar, a former champion with U Mumba in Season 2, has emphasized the growing importance of defense as the key factor in determining the winner of PKL Season 11. With the playoffs just around the corner, Kumar believes that the team with the strongest defensive unit will have the upper hand in clinching the title this season. This marks a significant shift from the early years of PKL, when the focus was predominantly on raiders and their attacking prowess.
Kumar pointed out that in the early days of the league, defenders did not receive as much recognition, and raiders dominated the game with high scoring numbers. However, in recent seasons, there has been a noticeable evolution in the game’s tactics, with defense playing a more prominent role. "When the PKL started, defenders didn't have much value, and there weren't many tackle points as the raiders ruled the roost. But nowadays, there are more defensive moves. A single raider can never win the trophy for a team now, you need defenders," he explained in a statement.
Among the teams currently in contention for the playoffs, Kumar has been particularly impressed with the Haryana Steelers. Having secured a direct semi-final entry, the Steelers are one of the top performers this season, largely due to their balanced gameplay. Both the raiders and defenders have contributed significantly to the team’s success, with Mohammadreza Shadloui and Rahul Sehpal standing out as key defensive players. "The Steelers have impressed the most this season, both their defenders and their raiders. Their defense especially has done tremendous work, whether you talk about Mohammadreza Shadloui or Rahul Sehpal," Kumar added, highlighting their crucial role in the team’s campaign.
Looking at his former team, U Mumba, who are currently fighting for a playoff spot, Kumar is optimistic about their chances. While their campaign started on a slow note, U Mumba has shown significant improvement as the season has progressed. Kumar believes that U Mumba’s fate will depend on their final league match, which will determine whether they secure a place in the top six. "U Mumba's performance has been very good after a slow start. Though their start wasn't great, they've improved. If they win their last match, they'll qualify 100%," Kumar stated confidently.
Kumar also pointed out the standout individual performances within U Mumba, particularly that of raider Ajit Chauhan. Despite the team’s overall performance being slightly below expectations, Chauhan’s efforts have been exceptional, and Kumar believes that a little more support from other raiders could have propelled the team to a higher position in the standings. "Ajit's performance has been excellent. If another raider had supported him even a little, this team would have been in first, second, or third position, not fifth or sixth," he noted. This underscores the importance of team cohesion and balanced performance, particularly in high-stakes matches.
As the teams gear up for the knockout stages, Anup Kumar’s analysis offers a fascinating perspective on the evolving nature of Pro Kabaddi League tactics. While raiders remain crucial to a team’s success, it is clear that defense has become just as important, if not more so, in determining the champion. With the level of competition reaching new heights, Kumar’s insights suggest that the team with the most well-rounded strategy, combining strong defense with effective raiding, will ultimately lift the trophy in PKL Season 11.