Top all-rounders for the Pro Kabaddi League

Their prowess in both raiding and defending helps them quickly adapt and respond to the needs of the team at crucial junctures. For instance, if a team is left with only a couple of men on the mat, then it will be a boon for the team if at least one of them is an all-rounder as he will not only form a vital defence cog but also has the mettle to score in a raid, thereby reviving players and avoid an all-out.

Pro Kabaddi League has its share of star all-rounders who can turn the game on its head in a few minutes. Let's look at the top 3 all-rounders in the Pro Kabaddi League history.

Deepak Niwas Hooda

Deepak started his career as a raider and debuted with Telugu Titans in the Pro Kabaddi League as a raider. He managed two tackle points and 87 raid points in his first season. In the following season, his tackle points went up to 36. Now he was a proper all-rounder. From season 3 to season 5, he was with Patna Pirates. Here Deepak became the prime raider, and consequently, we see a drop in his tackle points. In season 5, he scored 14 points while defending but a whopping 172 raid points.

But it was in season 6 that Deepak cemented his name as one of the best all-rounders. This season he was transferred to Jaipur Pink Panthers. He had already established himself as a star raider, but he even scored a High-5 of tackle points this season, showcasing his all-around abilities. Deepak emerged as a player who can handle pressure well and is a champion of do-or-die raids.

Deepak's staple move while raiding is the Running Hand Touch where he approaches the defender with his incredible speed and surprises the defender with a quick stretch of his body to score a touch with the hand. While in defence, his favourite movie is ankle hold. Deepak pounces on the raider's ankle with sharp eyes and lightning reflexes as soon as the raider shifts his attention away from him. And getting caught in his steely grip means the end of the line for the raider, more often than not.

Manjeet Chillar

Manjeet is one of the best defenders in the Pro Kabaddi League. But he has a keen talent for raids whenever his team is in a pickle. He also pursues retreating raiders making him even more dangerous and valuable.

In his first season only, while playing for Bengaluru Bulls, he scored 51 tackle points and 71 points while raiding, cementing his name as an all-rounder and becoming the best defender in season 1. He won the Most Valuable Player of the Season award in his second season with 107 points. In season 3, he moved to Puneri Paltan and continued his excellent form. They ended the season with the Best Defender title and 45 raid points. These stellar performances continued year after year and made him a serious contender for the no. 1 all-rounder spot.

Manjeet plays at the left cover position, creating headaches for all left raiders. His defensive arsenal mainly consists of rock-solid blocks and quick dashes. He not only scores valuable points but keeps the entire defensive unit cohesive and stable. He is also an able leader and took his teams to playoffs multiple times through his effective player management and apt reading of the game.

Sandeep Narwal

Known as 'the Beast' for his imposing physique and strength, Sandeep is a match-winner in his own right. Primarily a defender, he started his career with Patna Pirates and was able to win the league title with them in the 3rd season. In his debut season, he scored 27 tackle points from 16 matches and 92 points while raiding. Nearly 100 raid points speak significantly about his all-around capabilities. He became the Best Defender in season 3.

From Patna, he moved to Telugu Titans and Puneri Paltan, in which he scored 33 raid points and 52 defensive points. He gave consistent performances game after game and season after season. His game primarily revolves around his strength which he employs magnificently via blocks and dashes while defending. In raiding, he has a peculiar style. His raids start slowly; he moves around the court, gauging the opponent's defences. Suddenly, there is a burst of energy by which he unsettles the defenders and makes them commit an error and then capitalise on those.

All three have not only been star performers in the Pro Kabaddi League but also won medals with the national team. Being part of various franchises and delivering consistently year after year is common to all 3 of them, and that is why it is tough to choose one. Meanwhile, there are also some fresh prospects in the game like Rohit Gulia, who will indeed threaten these stars.