Pro Kabaddi League 2016 team preview: Bengaluru Bulls start as underdogs

Bengaluru Bulls will start the new season of Pro Kabaddi League as complete underdogs with depleted resources in their ranks.

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Bengalurur Bulls will start the new season of Pro Kabaddi League as underdogs. (Source: PTI/File)

With the third season of the Pro Kabaddi League less than a week away, this indianexpress.com series takes a look at how the revamped squads shape up and how the changes could affect their fortunes this year. In focus today are Bengaluru Bulls – a consistent over the last two seasons of PKL

Just as it is with life, a lot can change over two seasons in sport and while some might still love the departure of the leaves at fall for winter, the Bengaluru Bulls certainly won’t be celebrating the departure of their glorious Season 1 signings. After making the final four in both seasons and going ever so close to sealing the title last time around (except to be foiled by Shabeer’s heroics), Bengaluru will now start as complete underdogs with depleted resources in their ranks. To me, the Bulls are the side that have been hit the hardest by the off-season trades and will start this campaign with their backs against the wall. Fan favourite Ajay Thakur, captain Majeet Chillar & Somvir make their way to the revamped Puneri Paltans while leader of the defense, Dharmaraj Cheralathan heads to the Titans. Rajesh Mondal’s raids provided ample support to Ajay & Manjeet last season but he too makes an exit and heads east towards the Patna Pirates.

Coach Randhir Sehrawat is known to extract the most out of his players and he’ll have to do just that from “The Flying Machine”, Surejeet Narwal, who returns after an injury layoff in Season 2. The move from Dabang Delhi will see him don a lead role and he will need to repeat his Season 1 heroics, having scored 113 points, with 65 of them coming from his masterful running hand touch. It might be hard to replicate the success of the first two campaigns but as famed writer James Geary said, you only really discover the strength of your spine when your back’s against the wall!

Transfers in:

# Surjeet Narwal from Dabang Delhi

# Shrilanth Tewthia from Dabang Delhi

# Amit Rathi from Puneri Paltan

# Vijender Singh from Puneri Paltan

Transfers Out:

# Manjit Chillar to Puneri Paltan

# Ajay Thakur to Puneri Paltan

# Somvir Shekhar to Puneri Paltan

# Dharmraj Cheralathan to Telgu Titans

# Rajesh Mondal to Patna Pirates

SWOT Analysis:

Strengths

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# The addition of Surjeet Narwal in a sole lead raider role could give an atmosphere where he will thrive

# No colossal expectations

Weaknesses:

# Massive depletion of resources in both the raiding and defensive departments

# Loss of Ajay, Manjeet, Rajesh Mondal, Cheralathan & Somvir leaves very little continuity

Opportunities

# They come in as an unknown entity with low expectations – could spring a surprise

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# Youngsters impressed last year in patches and have a chance to play without any pressure and they can cause a few upsets

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