U Mumba
The team has made good use of the hiatus it got due to the pandemic situation and unearthed many promising players. The team has added many new players to its squad, especially from the Category B and C lists. U Mumba has retained its star raider, Abhishek Singh, who had put up a spectacular performance in the previous season, scoring 162 raid points and 10 Super-10's. They have added another talented raider, V. Ajith Kumar, who debuted for Tamil Thalaivas in the previous season and put up a commendable performance, notching up 121 raid points and 4 Super-10’s.
The offense is further bolstered by players like Mohsen Maghsoudlou, Ajinkya Kapre, and Navneet.
The team has also retained its talented captain, Fazel Atrachali, who will be the perfect mentor to groom the incoming youngsters. To help Fazel in defense, U Mumba has signed up Rinku Sharma and Rahul Rawal both of whom play in the right corner position. In fact, Chandigarh-based Rinku Sharma is the team’s most expensive purchase this season, at ₹32 lakhs. He has put up some impactful performances in the last couple of Senior National Kabaddi Championships.
Bengaluru Bulls
The Bengaluru Bulls will be banking heavily on its star raider, the `High Flyer´ Pawan Sehrawat, to help them win the inaugural game of this season. Pawan has been the highest point scorer as well as raid point scorer during the previous two seasons of the PKL.
While the team will miss the services of skipper Rohit Kumar, who has shifted to Telugu Titans, it has strengthened its attack by adding their most expensive buy this season, Chandran Ranjit. Overseas raider Abolfazl Maghsodlou Mahali will be joined by the young Dong Geon Lee, who is coming in from U Mumba. Between them, the two can rise up to any occasion, should the need arise.
The defense will be in the hands of youngsters like Mayur Jagannath Kadam, Ankit, and Vikas, who will be mentored by retained veterans Mohit Sehrawat and Saurabh Nandal.
Pawan Kumar Sehrawat holds the record for scoring most raid points in a single match, with 30 points. He achieved the feat against Haryana Steelers in season 7.
U Mumba captain Fazel Atrachali is the only overseas defender to score more than 300 tackle points.
U Mumba holds the upper hand when it comes to head-to-head performances so far. Of the 14 games that they have played so far, U Mumba has won 10. However, the sheer brilliance of Pawan Kumar Sehrawat is going to be tough to overcome. We think he is going to be able to lead the Bengaluru Bulls to a win to start PKL 2021-22 in style.
Bet on the Bengaluru Bulls to win.