U Mumba are looking to regain their lost glory in the Pro Kabaddi League. Having been one of the most consistent teams in the league, the team struggled in the last two editions. However the management has shown faith in their players by retaining the core and under a new coach in Iranian Gholamreza Mazandarani, the team eye a strong comeback in Season 10.
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U Mumba performance over the years
U Mumba have been one of the most consistent sides in the Pro Kabaddi League. Out of the nine editions, the team managed to reach the play-offs five times. They were the champions in 2015 and also finished as runners-up twice. However in the last two editions the team ended up in the 10th and 9th spots on the table.
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U Mumba – Retained Players
U Mumba retained experienced defenders Surinder Singh and Rinku ahead of the auction this year. The team also opted to retain their raiders Jai Bhagwan and Iranian Heiderali Akrami.
Shivam Thakur, Shivansh Thakur, Pranay Rane, Rupesh and Sachin were some of the young players, who were retained before the auction.
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How the team fared at the auction ?
After releasing Guman Singh, who is the lead raider of the team, U Mumba managed to get him back by using the FBM card. He was bought back for 85 lakhs. They then bolstered their defence with the addition of two experienced defenders in Girish Maruti Ernak and Mahender Singh.
Under the helm of an Iranian, the team also added two young Iranians in Amirmohamed Zafardanesh and Alireza Mirzaeian. The team won the bidding war for all-rounder Zafardanesh by getting him for 68 lakhs. However they managed to acquire the services of raider Mirzaeian for 16.10 lakhs.
With a blend of experience and youth the team looks strong on paper. Coach Gholamreza Mazandarani now wants his boys to perform well on the mat.
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U Mumba Squad for Season 10
Raiders: Jai Bhagwan, Haiderali Ekrami, Guman Singh, Alireza Mirzaeian, Pranay Rane, Rupesh, Sachin, Shivam Thakur, Rohit Yadav, Kunal Bhati
All-Rounders: Amirmohamed Zafardanesh, Saurav Parthi, V Vishwanath
Defenders: Rinku, Surender Singh, Mahender Singh, Girish Ernak, Shivansh Thakur, Somveer Goswami, Mukilan Shanmugam, M Gokulakannan, Bittu Banwala