PKL 2018 | It’s great to have a defender as team’s skipper, believes Ravinder Pahal

11/15/2018

Delhi defender Ravinder Pahal is of the opinion that a defender is more effective as a captain of any team in kabaddi than a raider. He also asserted that the corner combination of Dabang Delhi, with him and Joginder Narwal being there, has worked well for them in the season so far.

Dabang Delhi KC has one of the best defensive units in the ongoing sixth season of the Pro Kabaddi League with three experienced men like skipper Joginder Narwal, Ravinder Pahal, and Vishal Mane. The corner combination of Joginder on the left and Ravinder on the right has put up a good show for the team from the national capital this year. They have won only four out of their nine games so far in the season with one ending in a tie and their home leg is yet to get underway this year.

Right corner Ravinder has opened up with SportsCafe during an exclusive interview where he had all praises for skipper Joginder and said that a team gets benefitted having a defender as the leader on the mat as he can understand the thought process of opposition defenders and can advise the raiders according to that.

“If the captain of your team is a defender, it actually works well for the team. He makes the raiders understand about the possible moves by the opposition defenders because a defender can only understand what a defender thinks. He (Joginder) is really good both as a player and the skipper of the team. He is also an experienced player so all others in the side adhere to his instructions in the side,” Ravinder told SportsCafe.

When asked about the team’s corner combination being a threat for others, the right corner replied, “We have been playing together since a long time and we understand each other really well and can anticipate each other’s moves in the defence. Jab tak hum dono hain, mushkil hai raiders ko points nikalna (It is difficult for raiders to get points when we are on the mat). Our combination has been a brilliant one for the team and it’sreal fun playing with Narwal. If raiders can get 10-15 points, it’s enough for us to win the game with the defensive unit doing well. Defence is the main focus and the result of a game depends on them.”

The Dabang Delhi side is yet to play at their home venue in Delhi and Ravinder is quite hopeful that unlike all other teams, they will have a good run at their home venue – Thyagraj SportsComplex in Delhi. He wants to do well in front of a crowd which always stays behind the team but feels that back-to-back games in the home leg take a toll on the players.

“There is no pressure for the teams when they play in front of the home crowd. They have huge support from the crowd but back-to-back matches take a toll on the players in their home legs. If players get proper rest during the home day, they can come out to perform much better with the home crowd behind them,” said Ravinder who played for the franchise in first three seasons as well.

“Regular running and maintaining a proper gym routine helps me stay fit in the long seasons of PKL. I am focussed on my diet as well and always try to practice in such a way that it doesn’t affect my body.”

The corners Ravinder and Joginder have scored 52 tackle points from nine games together in this season of PKL while another senior man in the team Vishal has also got 12 tackle points under his name. Known for his strong ankle holds, Ravinder has 27 points in this season so far but has only two High 5s. The 28-year-old defender did speak about the tackle moves and what goes through their minds when an opposition raider enters their half.

“Our tackle moves depend on the situation and there is no set process that we follow to stop a raider. We try to find out what a raider wants to do and what is his specialisation. Whether he is good at getting a bonus or he wants to go for a toe touch or running hand touch. We try to look at the strengths of the raiders and decide according to that,” explained Ravinder.

The defender enjoys his nickname ‘The Hawk’ and wants to live up to the expectations of his fans and Delhi supporters. Ravinder is someone who doesn’t think a lot about his future and just wants to continue playing kabaddi.

“Maza toh aata hai sunne mein (I enjoy hearing the name) and I also try to perform accordingly. I have done well in the last few games which justifies the name given to me (he laughs). I try to live up to the expectations each and every time I step on the mat,” the 28-year-old informed.

“Time will take its own course and I am not thinking much about my future at this stage. There is no pressure from my family and I am happily enjoying the game of kabaddi which has a lot of money now.

“The game is improving day by day which is of great help for the players in the country. For example, previously it was not played in private schools but now it is a professional sport for them. Former players, who are not employed in the public sector, are getting employment in private schools as coaches which shows how the game has grown in India,” he concluded.

PKL 2018 | It’s great to have a defender as team’s skipper, believes Ravinder Pahal

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