Can U Mumba Capture the PKL Title Again with a Young Squad Under New Coach?

Mumbai, Aug 18 (NationPress) The Pro Kabaddi League Season 2 champions, U Mumba, are set to pursue the PKL title once more in Season 12, commencing on August 29.

Under the guidance of captain Sunil Kumar, U Mumba concluded the previous season with 12 victories in 22 matches, securing a playoff berth after a three-season hiatus. Their promising run was halted by the Patna Pirates in Eliminator 2.

Despite their playoff qualification in PKL Season 11, U Mumba decided to part ways with head coach Gholamreza Mazandarani and appointed Anil Chaprana as their new head coach for the upcoming season.

Anil previously led U Mumba before being succeeded by Mazandarani in 2022. He later served as an assistant coach at Patna Pirates and rejoined U Mumba as an assistant during PKL Season 11, contributing to their playoff qualification for the first time since 2019.

U Mumba has retained their core players from the previous season and invested Rs 4.905 crore in acquiring eight new players during the Season 12 Player Auction to build a competitive squad.

Let us evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of U Mumba as they prepare for the new season.

Strengths: Retention of Key Players

Before the PKL Season 12 Player Auction, U Mumba successfully retained most of their key players from the last season.

Among them are captain Sunil Kumar, left raider Ajit Chouhan, right raider Satish Kannan, left corners Deepak Kundu and Lokesh Ghosliya, left covers Sunny and Mukilan Shanmugam, along with all-rounders Amir Mohammad Zafardanesh and Rohit.

Mumboys' Strong Defensive Unit

The formidable defense of U Mumba is likely to be one of their greatest assets as they head into the upcoming Pro Kabaddi season. Captain Sunil Kumar will once again spearhead U Mumba’s defense in Season 12. Recognized as one of the league's top defenders, Sunil currently ranks fifth on the all-time leaderboard for tackle points (390) in PKL history.

Additionally, U Mumba exercised their FBM card for Rs 25.10 lacs to retain left cover Parvesh Bhainswal, who contributed 38 tackle points across 23 matches last season.

Other defensive options include Rinku (right corner), Lokesh Ghosliya (left corner), Deepak Kundu (left corner), Sunny (left cover), Mukilan Shanmugam (left cover), and Ravi (right cover).

Acquisition of Aanil Mohan

Moreover, U Mumba has strengthened their squad by signing the talented all-rounder Aanil Mohan for a record Rs 78 lacs, making him the most expensive player from Category D in PKL history. Highly regarded as one of the finest young talents in the Indian kabaddi scene, Aanil could prove to be a game-changer for the PKL Season 2 champions.

Weaknesses: Departure of Manjeet

While their offensive lineup appears solid, a significant weakness for U Mumba is the loss of their former lead raider Manjeet Dahiya, who has signed with the two-time PKL champions Jaipur Pink Panthers at the recent auction. With 730 raid points to his credit, U Mumba may feel the absence of Manjeet's experience.

Lack of Experience in Left Corner Positions

Another concern for U Mumba is the inexperience in the left corner positions. The team has Lokesh Ghosliya and Deepak Kundu as options, with Lokesh having played just 11 PKL matches and Deepak featuring in only two games to date.

Opportunities: Huge Moment for Anil Chaprana

The team has shown confidence in Anil Chaprana by promoting him from assistant to head coach for PKL Season 12.

Having previously contributed significantly as an assistant coach alongside former head coach Gholamreza Mazandarani in Season 11, Chaprana played a crucial role in helping U Mumba achieve PKL Playoffs qualification.

Opportunity for Ajit to Stake Claim as Lead Raider

Rising star Ajit Chouhan made a remarkable impact in Pro Kabaddi Season 11, emerging as one of the leading raiders in his debut season. With exceptional skills, speed, and strength, Ajit amassed 185 raid points over 23 matches. With Manjeet's departure, Ajit now has the opportunity to establish himself as U Mumba’s lead raider in Season 12.

Time for Youngsters to Shine

U Mumba possesses numerous talented youngsters eager to make their mark in the upcoming season. Players like Aanil Mohan, Lokesh Ghosliya, Deepak Kundu, Mukilan Shanmugam, Amarjeet, and Ravi will aim to seize their chances and secure a position in U Mumba’s starting lineup.

Threats: Overall Inexperience of Their Squad

A major concern for U Mumba is the overall inexperience of their squad. The team coached by Anil Chaprana includes several players who are yet to make their PKL debut, while some have only participated in a limited number of games and are still striving to make their mark in the league.

Lack of an Experienced Raider

With Manjeet's exit, U Mumba might become overly dependent on the 20-year-old raider Ajit Chouhan in PKL Season 12. Although Ajit showcased immense potential last season, it remains to be seen if he can maintain his exceptional performance in the upcoming campaign.