Gujarat Giants, two-time Pro Kabaddi League runners-up, will be seeking to put their best foot forward in Season 11 as they seek the elusive PKL crown. The Giants are one of the league’s most consistent clubs, having made the playoffs in four of their six PKL seasons. The Giants departed the league last season after losing to the Haryana Steelers in the Eliminator, and they will be hungry to go the distance in the current season under head coach Ram Mehar Singh, who guided Patna Pirates to PKL success in Season 5.
Gujarat Giants were quite active at the Season 11 Player Auction, signing a total of 15 players as they sought to construct a strong squad capable of competing for the crown. With that in mind, let us look at the Gujarat Giants’ strengths and shortcomings ahead of the 11th season of the Pro Kabaddi League.
Strengths
One of the Gujarat Giants’ clear assets entering into Season 11 of the PKL is their fearsome raiding squad. With attacking depth and many raiding possibilities, the Giants rely on Guman Singh, Parteek Dahiya, and Rakesh to break down opposing defenses.
Much will depend on Guman Singh, who is projected to be the team’s main raider after being bought for INR 1.97 crore in the Season 11 Player Auction. Guman is ninth on the list for most raid points (163) in Season 10, has 400 raid points in the PKL, and will be expected to spearhead the Giants’ attack. He will be backed up by Parteek Dahiya and Rakesh, both of whom are more than capable of inflicting havoc on opposing defenses on their day.
Parteek Dahiya, in particular, has been brilliant for the Gujarat Giants, racking up 308 raid points in only two seasons. Rakesh, meanwhile, will seek to bounce back from a little poor performance last season and will be keen. To add to his 379 raid points from Season 11. Monu is another player who has demonstrated his ability to contribute offensively, earning 109 raid points in the PKL.
Weaknesses
While their offensive appears to be excellent on paper, the Gujarat Giants’ defense is far from ideal. Apart from Sombir and Neeraj Kumar, the Giants lack proven defenders who have had a substantial effect on the league. Sombir has 194 tackle points in the PKL, while Neeraj Kumar has 172 tackle points.
However, none of them have the necessary PKL expertise to ensure success. Furthermore, the Gujarat Giants’ defensive weaknesses lost them some tight games last season, and it remains to be seen if this infusion of relatively inexperienced defenders will enhance their defense.
Opportunities
With their defense falling short, the Gujarat Giants’ success will be determined by their all-round talent. Mohammad Nabibakhsh and Balaji D, for example, will need to make an impact in tackles and have already demonstrated their ability to do so.
Furthermore, Neeraj Kumar’s defensive performance will be critical following a disappointing campaign the previous season. He has previously done well under the supervision of head coach Ram Mehar Singh, and he hopes to return to his best in Season 11. Monu is another guy who might demonstrate his defensive abilities and assist the Giants enhance their defense.
He now has 114 tackle points in the PKL and hopes to add a few more to aid the team’s balance. Monu and Mohammad Nabibakhsh might be vital to the Giants since they can be efficient on both sides of the mat, and it will be fascinating to watch if they take advantage of the possibilities offered to them.
Threats
In terms of threats, the general lack of experience within the Gujarat Giants’ defensive and raiding groups might be a major issue for the team’s prospects in Season 11. This proved to be an issue for the Giants in Season 10, as they lost several tight games that they should have won.
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Even their formidable raiding force will be commanded by Guman Singh, who is hardly the most experienced primary raider in the league, to say the least. While Guman can be a terror to any defense on his day, he must make the most of his previous experiences in the league to become a more consistent performance.