Bengal Warriors won the seventh edition of the Pro Kabaddi League back in 2019. However since then the team has given back-to-back underwhelming performance in the next two seasons. The Warriors have gone back to the experienced Maninder Singh to lead them in the upcoming season and eye turnaround of fortunes.
Also Read: Pro Kabaddi 2023: Telugu Titans eye redemption in Season 10 – Check Full Squad
Bengal Warriors performances over the years
Bengal Warriors finished seventh and sixth on the points table in the first two editions of the league. The team made it to the semifinals for the first time in 2016 edition. But finished fourth after losing the semifinal and the third-place play-ff game.
A last place finished followed in the next season. The team then made it to the semifinal yet again in the fifth edition. Sixth place finish followed next season before they finally got their hands on the trophy for the first time in 2019.
By finishing 9th and 11th in the last two editions. The team hopes for a good turnaround of fortunes in the upcoming edition.
Also Read: PKL Auction 2023: Full list of updated squads for Pro Kabaddi
Bengal Warriors Retained Players
Ahead of the auction this year, Bengal Warriors released all their big players. It included their captain Maninder Singh, who has been an integral part of the side since 2017. Veterans Deepak Hooda, Srikanth Jadhav ad defender Girish Ernak were also released.
The team opted to retain four players from the existing new player category. They were Vaibhav Bhausaheb Garje, R Guhan, Suyon Baban Gaikar and Parshant Kumar.
How the team fared at the auction?
While one expected Bengal Warriors to completely bid for new players, the team opted for familiar names. They managed to get back Maninder Singh by using the FBM card.
Telugu Titans finalised a bid of 2.12 crores and the Warriors opted to match the bid to retain his services. Soon the team also acquired Srikanth Jadhav for 35.25 lakhs. They also used the FBM card on Shubham Shinde.
All-rounder Nitin Rawal was one experienced player that the team bought in the auction this year. The management also invested a lot on youngsters. With a good mix of youth and experience, the team will look to finish within the Top-4 in the upcoming edition.
Bengal Warriors Squad
Raiders: Maninder Singh, Shrikant Jadhav, Suyog Gaikar, Guhan Raju, Parshant Kumar, Aslam Saja, Vishwas Gouda, Chai Ming Chang, Maharudra Garje, Nitin Kumar, Akshay Bodake
Defenders: Shubham Shinde, Vaibhav Garje, Akshay Kumar, Aditya Shinde, Shreyas Umbardand, Dipak Shinde
All-Rounders: Nitin Rawal, Akshay Bhoir.
