Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats examination of Dabang Delhi KC prior to Pro Kabaddi League Season 12
Dabang Delhi K.C., one of the most successful teams in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), is set to compete in Season 12. Under the guidance of head coach Joginder Narwal, the team aims to build on their successes from previous seasons.
Squad Overhaul and Key Acquisitions
The team has undergone a significant transformation, with 16 new players joining the squad following a busy player auction. Dabang Delhi K.C. spent INR 4.899 crore to strengthen their team, covering most bases comprehensively.
Among the key acquisitions are ace raider Ashu Malik, who was retained for two seasons for INR 1.90 crore, and Fazel Atrachali, the most successful defender in PKL history, who was signed for INR 30 lakh. Atrachali, who had a below-par campaign with Bengal Warriorz last season, is expected to return to his best form.
Saurabh Nandal, an experienced left corner, and Surjeet Singh, an accomplished right cover, were also signed for INR 13 lakh and INR 20 lakh respectively. Amir Hossein Bastami, another Iranian defender, was added to the squad for INR 30 lakh.
In addition, Neeraj Narwal and Ajinkya Ashok Pawar were added to the squad for INR 32.60 lakh and INR 13 lakh respectively.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Dabang Delhi K.C.'s key strengths lie in their revamped and strong squad, with Ashu Malik, an accomplished raider with 538 raid points in his last 46 matches, set to be the focal point of the team’s offense. Fazel Atrachali's return brings leadership and experience to the defense. The mixture of proven stars like Ashu Malik and Atrachali combined with emerging talents such as Neeraj Narwal, Anil Gurjar, Mohit, Vijay, and Akshit provides depth and potential for dynamic performances.
However, the team faces challenges in replacing talismanic captain and star raider Naveen Kumar, who left the team ahead of Season 12. The potential lack of quality all-rounders is a concern, with only Amit, Ashish Kumar Sangwan, Naveen, and Arkam Shaikh being recognized all-rounders. The team's success depends on the supporting cast rising to fill Naveen Kumar's absence and providing consistent performances.
Opportunities and Threats
Season 12 offers emerging raiders like Neeraj Narwal, Anil Gurjar, Mohit, Vijay, and Akshit a platform to establish themselves and support Ashu Malik in the raid unit. Fazel Atrachali aims to regain form and leadership ability to drive Delhi’s defense toward a championship push. With a revamped squad, Delhi has the chance to build new combinations and strategies to challenge the title once again.
However, the pressure of replacing Naveen Kumar’s impact could affect team cohesion or performance if the supporting players do not deliver under new dynamics. Other strong teams in PKL also have well-developed rosters, so competition is fierce, and any failure to gel quickly could hinder Delhi’s title ambitions. Inexperience of some newly added players might lead to inconsistency during critical moments of the season.
In summary, Dabang Delhi K.C. enters PKL Season 12 with strong raiding and defensive pieces but faces challenges in replacing a key leader and ensuring all-rounders provide enough contribution. The season offers a platform to emerging talents and a chance for redemption, but execution will determine their success.
The health of the team, now fortified with 16 new players including ace raider Ashu Malik and Fazel Atrachali, the most successful defender in PKL history, will be crucial for Dabang Delhi K.C.'s performance in Season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Sports-wise, the team's strengths lie in their revamped squad and dynamic combinations, with Ashu Malik and Fazel Atrachali leading the offense and defense respectively.
