Pro Kabaddi League: 3 players who could win MVP in season 9

The player auction took place in August, resulting in a major spending spree. Teams underwent staggering changes and, most importantly, the transfer of Pawan Sehrawat to the Tamil Thalaivas for ₹2.26 crores. 

Dabang Delhi KC thrashed fan favourites Patna Pirates to claim the title in the previous season, and Naveen Kumar secured the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for two back-to-back seasons.

As teams start their upcoming PKL campaign, the players will bring their A game, hoping to win the MVP at the end of season nine. So here is a list of the top candidates for the award!

Aslam Inamdar (Puneri Paltan)

Inamdar made his first league appearance last season and led a young Paltan raiding team alongside Mohit Goyat. He left a lasting impact by scoring 169 raid points and 20 tackle points.

His form in the National Kabaddi Championships stood out in the Maharashtra team that persevered to make a second-place finish. The in-form Imamdar is only expected to improve this season.

Under the guidance of Fazel Atrachali and Mohammad Nabibakhsh, he could reach new levels. His raid numbers are likely to rise this season, making him a possible recipient of the award. 

Besides scoring raids, snapping up a title win is a significant factor in determining a player's chances of winning the award. The Paltans could push their star raider forward in the bid to win the MVP.

Naveen Kumar (Dabang Delhi KC)

After winning the MVP award for two consecutive seasons, he has increased his chances of setting up a hat trick this season. He secured the fourth-highest raid points in season eight despite making 17 appearances. 

His consistency and focus contributed to his performance, including 12 Super 10s, which arrived when the squad battled crucial situations. His club won their first PKL title last season, and Naveen is to be thanked for leading his team to the summit, 

He spearheaded the raiding unit alongside Vijay Malik and threatened the defenders in the other team. If he is in a similar form, he could win the MVP award for the third time in three seasons. 

Pawan Sehrawat (Tamil Thalaivas)

Pawan Sehrawat was the most expensive player at the player auctions this year. Nicknamed the 'Hi-flier', he was picked up by the Tamil Thalaivas for a whopping ₹2.26 crores. 

Pawan, the best raider in the league, has been the highest point-scorer in PKL for the last three editions. The MVP award fell in his lap in season six, and the Bulls had won the title that year. 

However, the shortcomings characterising his team have sabotaged the ex-Bengaluru captain's bid to win the award. He will try to secure a deep run for the Tamil Thalaivas this season, hoping to overcome MVP king Naveen.