UP Yoddhas is one of the most consistent sides in the Pro Kabaddi League history. Despite reaching successive playoffs in the last five years, the team is yet to win a title. They aim to end the drought in PKL 2023. UP Yoddhas vs U Mumba will mark the beginning of their campaign and here is how they can line up.
While the team is looking to end the title drought, they have retained majority of the players in the squad. The settled line-up consists of experienced players like Pardeep Narwal, Surender Gill, Nitesh Kumar and Sumit. InsideSport predicts the starting seven for the team in the opening match of the season against U Mumba.
PKL 2023: UP Yoddhas predicted 7
Pardeep Narwal
Pardeep Narwal, the most successful raider in the history of the PKL will be the leader of the attack for the UP Yoddhas.
He scored 220 raid points in the league last year and was the team’s best raider. The star raider will once again want to be at his best form and extend his records in the league.
Also Read: UP Yoddhas bank on consistency to win maiden PKL title, Check squad analysis
Surender Gill
Surender Gill has been exceptional in the raids in the last two editions. He picked up 145 raid points in the last season and has been a solid partner to Pardeep Narwal in the raiding department.
Due to injury, he played only 14 matches last season. If he remains injury-free, in Gill and Pardeep, the Yoddhas have a deadly attack in the raids.
Vijay Malik
The Yoddhas bought all-rounder Vijay Malik for 90 lakhs at the auction this year. Vijay Malik has impressed with his all-round abilities in the last two seasons when he played for Dabang Delhi.
He scored 74 raid points in the league last season. Malik can be a good third raiding option and lends a good balance to the team. He is expected to feature in the starting seven right from the team’s first match.
Nitesh Kumar
The experienced right corner defender Nitesh Kumar will lead the defence for the UP Yoddhas. He has been a vital cog of the side over the last five seasons.
He did not have a great outing in the last edition as he managed just 34 tackle points. Nitesh will look to improve his performance in the upcoming edition.
Also Read: PKL 2023: Gujarat Giants predicted 7 for match against Telugu Titans
Sumit
Left corner defend Sumit had a memorable outing for the team in the last edition. He ended up as the team’s best defender by scoring 54 tackle points.
He has been consitently performing well in the defence ever since his debut for the side in 2019. Sumit will aim to continue the good work yet again in another season of the PKL.
Ashu Singh
Ashu Singh also had a great season last year. He picked up 49 tackle points from 23 matches. He completes the defensive trio of the Yoddhas.
Like Sumit and Nitesh, Ashu too has the experience in the league and he will be expected to continue his good show in the upcoming edition.
Harendra Kumar
Harendra Kumar will be making his debut for the UP Yoddhas in the upcoming season. He was bought for 13 lakhs at the auction this year. His addition to the squad further bolsters the defence.
He played for U Mumba in the last three editions. Harendra Kumar is expected to feature in the side right from the start of this season.
Editors pick
