Pro Kabaddi League: The top five defenders with the most tackles in the history

The player auctions for season nine were held last month, which has quelled the curiosity of fans craving the previous updates on their favorite teams. 

With a few weeks left for the tournament to start, the franchises are busy practicing and implementing new strategies. Although raiders often hog the limelight, a team would not thrive without a solid defensive unit. 

Here are the top five defenders with the highest tackle points in PKL history.

Surjeet Singh 

Surjeet's skills as a right-cover defender are unmatched. He is the fifth-highest scorer of tackle points in league history. In 114 matches, he secured 331 tackle points. 

The captain of the Tamil Thalaivas last season has a total of 22 Super Tackles and 29 High-5s under his belt. He has acquired a tackle success rate of 47 per cent in PKL. 

Under the Titans, he will be an intimidating force alongside Ravinder Pahal. He has played for Bengal Warriors and Puneri Paltan in the past. 

Ravinder Pahal 

Ravinder Pahal, the ankle hold expert, is fourth regarding the number of tackle points registered. The right corner defender, affectionately called "the hawk," is one of the most critical players in the league. 

He has scored 338 tackle points over 120 matches so far in PKL. The former Gujarat Giants player secured 19 Super Tackles and 23 High-5s in his career. 

With a tackle success rate of 45 percent in PKL, the Telugu Titans will walk into the tournament with a heavy defensive setup. His previous teams include the Bengaluru Bulls and Dabang Delhi, among others.

Sandeep Narwal

Sandeep Narwal is third in the league's all-time highest tackle point scorers. Seen as one of PKL's most remarkable all-rounders and defenders, Narwal has clinched 348 tackle points in 149 matches so far in PKL. 

He was instrumental in Dabang Delhi's title-winning run last season and now boasts 29 Super Tackles along with 17 High-5s in his career. The defender, with a 48 per cent tackle success rate, surprisingly went unsold in the auctions. 

He has had successful stints with the Patna Pirates and U Mumba. 

Fazel Atrachali 

Fazel Atrachali is understandably the most expensive foreign player in the league. In his PKL career worth 125 matches, the brilliant defender snapped up 368 tackle points. 

He reigned over his peers by becoming the highest tackle point scorer in seasons four and seven. Fazel has scored 23 Super Tackles and 23 High-5s in his career with a success rate of 56 percent. 

After spending productive seasons with the U Mumba and Patna Pirates, Fazel will ply his trade for the Puneri Paltans this year.

Manjeet Chhillar

Manjeet Chillar, the player credited with the highest number of tackle points, 391, is the only kabaddi athlete to have surpassed 375 tackle points in the tournament. 

His exploits spawned 132 matches, where he also achieved 17 Super Tackles and 5 High-5s. He currently has a tackle success rate of 50 percent in PKL. 

He has been named as the assistant coach to the Telugu Titans this season. He has previously competed for the Bengaluru Bulls, Dabang Delhi, Tamil Thailavas, Jaipur Pink Panthers, and Puneri Paltan in PKL.