Two-time Pro Kabaddi League runners-up, Gujarat Giants, can be seeking to put their greatest foot ahead in a bid to safe the elusive PKL title in Season 11. One of essentially the most 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 can be desirous to go the space within the upcoming marketing campaign beneath the steerage of head coach Ram Mehar Singh, who led Patna Pirates to PKL glory in Season 5.
Heavily lively on the Season 11 Player Auction, Gujarat Giants signed a complete of 15 gamers as they appeared to construct a robust squad able to difficult for the title. With that in thoughts, let’s look at the strengths and weaknesses of Gujarat Giants forward of Pro Kabaddi League Season 11.
Strengths
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.
Much will hinge on Guman Singh, who is anticipated to be the crew’s foremost raider after they acquired him for INR 1.97 crore on the Season 11 Player Auction. Ninth on the leaderboard for many raid factors (163) in Season 10, Guman has accrued 400 raid factors within the PKL and can be counted on to steer the Giants’ assault. He can 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 crew. Rakesh, in the meantime, can be seeking to bounce again after a barely underwhelming marketing campaign final season and can be keen so as to add to his 379 raid factors in Season 11. Monu is one other participant who has confirmed his skill to contribute in assault, with 109 raid factors to his identify within the PKL.
Weaknesses
While their assault appears to be like robust on paper, Gujarat Giants’ defence leaves a lot to be desired. Apart 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 accrued 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 Player Auction. However, none of them have ample PKL expertise to ensure success. Moreover, Gujarat Giants’ defensive shortcomings price 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.
Opportunities
With their defence not trying on top of things, lots about Gujarat Giants will boil right down to their all-round abilities. 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 prior to now. While Mohammad Nabibakhsh has accounted for 79 sort out factors in PKL, Balaji D has scored 42.
Additionally, Neeraj Kumar’s efficiency in defence can be essential after a below-par marketing campaign final time round. He has carried out effectively beneath the tutelage of head coach Ram Mehar Singh prior to now and can be hoping to return to his greatest in Season 11. Monu is one other participant who might present his defensive prowess and assist strengthen the Giants’ defence.
He has 114 sort out factors in PKL and can be hoping to execute just a few extra tackles to assist with the steadiness of the crew. Monu and Mohammad Nabibakhsh may very well be essential to the Giants as they are often efficient on each ends of the mat and it will likely be attention-grabbing to see in the event that they benefit from the alternatives introduced to them.
Threats
As far as threats go, the final lack of expertise throughout each Gujarat Giants’ defensive and raiding models might pose a major space of concern to the crew’s fortunes in Season 11. This proved to be an issue for the Giants in Season 10 as effectively after they misplaced loads of shut contests that they need to have received.
Even their robust raiding unit can be led by Guman Singh, who is not essentially the most skilled foremost raider within the league, to say the least. While Guman is usually 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 develop into a extra constant performer who may be relied on. At the tip of the day, how Gujarat Giants’ squad overcomes their relative inexperience is what may very well be the defining issue of their Season 11 marketing campaign.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a press launch)
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