Pune, Aug 20 (NationPress) The Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 victors, Puneri Paltan, are eager to seize the coveted PKL title as Season 12 kicks off on August 29. Puneri Paltan has consistently been one of the top teams in the league, having reached the Playoffs in six out of eleven seasons. However, last season saw them finish a disappointing eighth with only nine victories in 22 matches.

In preparation for Season 12, Puneri Paltan appointed former Indian kabaddi captain Ajay Thakur as their head coach. The 39-year-old has transitioned from his role as assistant coach in Season 11 to lead the team this season.

Regarded as one of the best kabaddi players in history, Ajay was instrumental in the Indian team's gold medal victories at the 2014 Asian Games and the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup. He was honored with the Padma Shri and the Arjuna Award in 2019.

Ajay has played in the first seven seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League, concluding his playing career with 816 points from 121 matches, which included 794 raid points and 22 tackle points.

Additionally, Puneri Paltan has appointed Ashok Shinde as their head strategist for the upcoming season. Shinde took over the coaching duties mid-season last year after BC Ramesh stepped down.

Despite not making the Playoffs last season, Puneri Paltan has retained most of their players for the new season and added eight new members during the Season 12 Player Auction, investing a total of INR 5 crore to create a strong squad. Let’s delve into the strengths and weaknesses of Puneri Paltan as we approach Pro Kabaddi Season 12.

Strengths

One of the major strengths for Puneri Paltan heading into PKL Season 12 is their robust raiding lineup. Before the Player Auction, they ensured the retention of Pankaj Mohite, their standout raider from the previous season, who scored 110 raid points in 22 matches. They also retained veteran raider Mohit Goyat, who added 83 raid points in 19 games. Furthermore, their captain Aslam Inamdar remains a pivotal part of their attack, despite losing momentum in Season 11 due to a knee injury.

During the Player Auction, Puneri Paltan bolstered their offense by acquiring star raider Sachin Tanwar for INR 1.058 crore. Known as one of the league's elite raiders, Sachin has amassed 1,034 raid points in 145 matches throughout his PKL career.

They also signed Iranian raiders Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh (INR 13 lacs), Milad Mohajer (INR 13.50 lacs), and Indian raider Stuwart Singh (INR 13 lacs) to further fortify their raiding department.

Weaknesses

While the offensive strength of Puneri Paltan looks promising, their defense may pose a potential challenge in Pro Kabaddi Season 12. Although they retained star right cover Abinesh Nadarajan, they did not secure a backup for his position. Consequently, any injury or decline in form could jeopardize their season.

Besides Vishal Bhardwaj and Gaurav Khatri, the team lacks established defenders in corner positions. Despite tallying 324 tackle points over 118 matches, Vishal is returning to Pro Kabaddi after going unsold in the previous auction. It will be intriguing to see how he performs after a year away from the league. Much will rely on Gaurav Khatri, who was their leading defender last season, accumulating 61 tackle points in 21 matches.

Opportunities

As for opportunities, Puneri Paltan boasts several promising youngsters eager to shine in PKL Season 12. All-rounder Mohd Amaan is one such player looking to capitalize on his retention for INR 35 lacs through a Final Bid Match (FBM) card. Amaan, playing in the left corner, displayed his skills in 14 matches during Season 11.

Moreover, Ajay Thakur has a chance to prove his worth after being elevated to head coach, having previously excelled as an assistant coach, bringing out the best in Puneri Paltan during his brief tenure last season.

Threats

A primary concern for Puneri Paltan will be the fitness of their captain, Aslam Inamdar. The star all-rounder is returning to Pro Kabaddi after being sidelined for most of last season due to a meniscus tear that required surgery. With an impressive record of 480 raid points and 65 tackle points in 70 games, Aslam's fitness will be crucial for the team's success this season.

Another area where Puneri Paltan could have improved during the Player Auction would have been to secure another quality right cover, as they currently rely solely on Abinesh Nadarajan.

Even though Vishal Bhardwaj has valuable experience in Pro Kabaddi, his performance has declined in recent seasons. Players like Mohd Amaan and Rakesh will need to step up in the left corner to support right corner defender Gaurav Khatri.