The eleventh season of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is set to kick off on October 18th, and the Bengaluru Bulls are ready to make their mark. As one of the founding clubs of the league, the Bulls have a rich history, having produced several superstars, including the iconic Pardeep Narwal, who is returning to his original franchise after an eight-season absence.
The Bulls, known for their consistent performance, won the sixth season of the tournament and have consistently qualified for the playoffs, except for last season. This year, they are under the guidance of Randhir Singh Sehrawat, the most experienced coach in PKL history.
In a significant move, the Bengaluru-based franchise secured the services of Pardeep Narwal for a hefty sum of Rs. 70 Lakh in the auction. Narwal, known as the ‘Dubki King’ for his signature diving raid, is looking to reignite his career with the team that launched his journey to stardom.
While Narwal’s return brings a much-needed boost to the raiding unit, he is not the player he was in his prime. The Bulls will rely on the support of Ajinkya Pawar and the rest of the raiding unit, who are relatively inexperienced.
On the defensive front, the Bulls appear to be in better shape with the likes of Saurabh Nandal, Aditya Powar, and Lucky Kumar leading the charge. To secure a playoff spot, the team needs to establish a strong balance between their attack and defense from the very beginning of the season.
The Bulls’ strengths lie in the experience and reputation of Pardeep Narwal, the explosive raiding potential of Ajinkya Pawar, and the leadership qualities of Saurabh Nandal, combined with the proven track record of coach Randhir Singh Sehrawat. However, the team’s weakness lies in the lack of experience in the raiding unit, which might pose a challenge in the early stages of the tournament.
The Bengaluru Bulls will commence their PKL Season 11 campaign against the Telugu Titans in the opening fixture of the season in Hyderabad on October 18th. The schedule for the playoffs will be announced at a later date.
Bengaluru Bulls Full Squad for PKL 11:
Raiders:
Sushil, Akshit, Manjeet, Pankaj, Ajinkya Pawar, Pardeep Narwal, Pramot Saising, Jai Bhagwan, Jatin
Defenders:
Ponparthiban Subramanian, Saurabh Nandal, Aditya Powar, Lucky Kumar, Parteek, Arulnanthababu, Rohit Kumar, Akshit, Hasun Thongkruea
All-rounders:
Chandranaik M, Nitin RawalWith a blend of experienced veterans and promising newcomers, the Bengaluru Bulls are hoping to make a strong comeback in Season 11 and reclaim their place among the top contenders for the coveted PKL trophy.
