Having retained their core, UP Yoddhas are eyeing their maiden Pro Kabaddi League title. The Nitesh Kumar-led side made it to the qualifier in every edition that they have played so far in PKL. However a title has eluded them and they are looking to end the wait this time in PKL 2023 (PKL 10).
The team has retained most of the players from the last edition. It includes the likes of Pardeep Narwal, Surender Gill, Nitesh Kumar. InsideSport analyses the squad ahead of the upcoming season.
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Strength
There is not many changes in the team for this edition of the PKL 2023 as they have retained their core. Pardeep Narwal leads the raiding department alongside Surender Gill.
In the defence, they have retained the trio Nitesh Kumar, Sumit and Ashu Singh. The settled line-up and combination will be a big advantage to the side in the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, at the auction, they have further bolstered the side by picking up all-rounder Vijay Malik. He had a great season last year at Dabang Delhi playing second fiddle to Naveen Kumar.
Also Read: National Games Kabaddi: Pardeep Narwal’s Haryana fails to win against Services
Weakness
While both the offence and the defence of the team looks great, will there be a problem of plenty for the side especially in the raids?
Pardeep Narwal and Surender Gill took a combined tally of 360 raid points last season. Vijay Malik despite being an all-rounder has shown more of his raiding prowess so far. He cannot be kept only as the third raider. So the allocation of raids to each of the players and the management of this becomes crucial for the coaching staff of the side.
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Opportunity
With the team having retained its core, there will be a good bond already between the players. It remains to be seen whether this will give an opportunity for the Yoddhas to go all the way and win the title in this edition (PKL 2023). They will be entering the season definitely as one of the strong contenders.
Also it will provide an opportunity for Vijay Malik to showcase his prowess despite the presence of big names in the side. He stood out in the previous edition despite being under the shadow of Naveen Kumar last year.
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Threat
While the team relies on their core to perform, their bench strength remains feeble. In case of any injuries to the likes of Pardeep Narwal, Surinder Gill, Nitesh Kumar or Sumit, there is no good alternative.
Apart from the core group of players, the team is stacked with youngsters who have little experience at this stage.
UP Yoddhas- Squad
Raiders: Pardeep Narwal, Surender Gill, Ashu Singh, Gulveer Singh, Mahipal, Anil Kumar
Defenders: Nitesh Kumar, Sumit, Harendra Kumar, Kiran Laxman Magar
All-Rounders: Vijay Malik, Gurdeep, Samuel Wafala, Helvic Wanjala, Nitin Panwar
