Two-time Professional Kabaddi League runners-up, Gujarat Giants, will probably be seeking to put their greatest foot ahead in a bid to safe the elusive PKL title in Season 11. One of the crucial constant groups within the league, the Giants have reached the Playoffs in 4 of the six PKL seasons through which they’ve competed. The Giants exited the league final season after dropping to Haryana Steelers within the Eliminator and will probably be wanting to go the gap within the upcoming marketing campaign beneath the steering of head coach Ram Mehar Singh, who led Patna Pirates to PKL glory in Season 5.
Closely energetic on the Season 11 Participant Public sale, Gujarat Giants signed a complete of 15 gamers as they appeared to construct a powerful squad able to difficult for the title. With that in thoughts, let’s study the strengths and weaknesses of Gujarat Giants forward of Professional Kabaddi League Season 11.
Strengths
Certainly one of Gujarat Giants’ simple strengths heading into Season 11 of the PKL is their formidable raiding unit. Blessed with attacking depth and a number of raiding choices, the Giants will primarily depend on the likes of Guman Singh, Parteek Dahiya, and Rakesh to interrupt down opposition defences.
A lot will hinge on Guman Singh, who is predicted to be the staff’s most important raider after they acquired him for INR 1.97 crore on the Season 11 Participant Public sale. Ninth on the leaderboard for many raid factors (163) in Season 10, Guman has collected 400 raid factors within the PKL and will probably be counted on to steer the Giants’ assault. He will probably be supported by Parteek Dahiya and Rakesh, each of whom are greater than able to wreaking havoc on opposition defences on their day.
Parteek Dahiya, particularly, has been spectacular for Gujarat Giants, amassing 308 raid factors in his two seasons with the staff. Rakesh, in the meantime, will probably be seeking to bounce again after a barely underwhelming marketing campaign final season and will probably be keen so as to add to his 379 raid factors in Season 11. Monu is one other participant who has confirmed his capability to contribute in assault, with 109 raid factors to his title within the PKL.
Weaknesses
Whereas their assault seems to be robust on paper, Gujarat Giants’ defence leaves a lot to be desired. Aside from Sombir and Neeraj Kumar, the Giants lack well-established defenders who’ve made a major impression within the league. Sombir has managed 194 sort out factors within the PKL, whereas Neeraj Kumar has collected 172 sort out factors.
To handle their defensive weaknesses, the Giants purchased the likes of Nitesh, Manuj, Mohit, Harsh Lad, and Iranian Vahid Rezaeimehr on the Season 11 Participant Public sale. Nonetheless, none of them have enough PKL expertise to ensure success. Furthermore, Gujarat Giants’ defensive shortcomings value them in a number of shut video games final season, and it stays to be seen whether or not this inflow of comparatively inexperienced defenders can enhance their defence.
Alternatives
With their defence not wanting on top of things, lots about Gujarat Giants will boil all the way down to their all-round skills. The likes of Mohammad Nabibakhsh and Balaji D might want to make their presence felt in tackles and have proved that they’re able to doing so previously. Whereas Mohammad Nabibakhsh has accounted for 79 sort out factors in PKL, Balaji D has scored 42.
Moreover, Neeraj Kumar’s efficiency in defence will probably be essential after a below-par marketing campaign final time round. He has carried out properly beneath the tutelage of head coach Ram Mehar Singh previously and will probably be hoping to return to his greatest in Season 11. Monu is one other participant who may present his defensive prowess and assist strengthen the Giants’ defence.
He has 114 sort out factors in PKL and will probably be hoping to execute a number of extra tackles to assist with the stability of the staff. Monu and Mohammad Nabibakhsh could possibly be essential to the Giants as they are often efficient on each ends of the mat and will probably be attention-grabbing to see in the event that they benefit from the alternatives introduced to them.
Threats
So far as threats go, the overall lack of expertise throughout each Gujarat Giants’ defensive and raiding items may pose a major space of concern to the staff’s fortunes in Season 11. This proved to be an issue for the Giants in Season 10 as properly once they misplaced loads of shut contests that they need to have gained.
Even their robust raiding unit will probably be led by Guman Singh, who is not essentially the most skilled most important raider within the league, to say the least. Whereas Guman could be a menace to any defence on his day, it’s crucial that he makes essentially the most of his previous experiences within the league to turn into a extra constant performer who may be relied on. On the finish of the day, how Gujarat Giants’ squad overcomes their relative inexperience is what could possibly be the defining issue of their Season 11 marketing campaign.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a press launch)
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