PKL 2019 | Rectifying last season’s mistakes will be Dabang Delhi’s focus, asserts Joginder Narwal

Being handed the Delhi captain's role for the last season of the PKL, Joginder, who has been one of the prolific left corner defenders in the sport, led the team into the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They had finished third in a loaded Zone A, with U Mumba and Gujarat Fortunegiants, with 68 points and 11 wins from 22 league games while in the playoffs, after getting the better of Bengal Warriors, they lost to UP Yoddha in the Eliminator 3 to bow out of the tournament.

Joginder, at the left corner, will be joined by Ravinder Pahal on the opposite side with Vishal Mane at the cover position in the Delhi defence. They all played together for the team from the national capital last year and the team will want them to continue from where they left off last season. Joginder is of the belief that the addition of other cover defenders during the auctions this year, will be helpful in releasing some pressure off Mane’s shoulders.

“We have a good raiding unit and the defence is strong as well. Ravinder Pahal, Vishal Mane and I are there in the team like the previous edition. Two new covers have been included in the team. There are four to five cover defenders in the team and that might relieve some pressure off the shoulders of Vishal Mane,” reckoned the Delhi skipper from last season.

But it is not just the defence of the franchise that showcases their strength. The presence of Meraj Sheykh, who has the unique ability to play in any role and multiple positions, will matter a lot for them as well. Joginder asserted that the former Iran skipper will be crucial for them this time around as well. Sheykh came into some form during Delhi's home leg in which the team won five out of six games at the Thyagraj Sports Complex.

Before going into the auctions in April earlier this year, Dabang Delhi had retained young raider Naveen Kumar under the New Young Player (NYP) category. 19-year-old Naveen had collected 172 points from 22 games in which he featured for the team in his debut season in the league. According to Joginder, the Haryana lad has learnt more about the sport by playing competitive kabaddi regularly since his debut in the PKL last year, but the best is yet to come.

“Last time Naveen Kumar was new and didn’t have the experience of playing in the PKL. But after playing in the league last time, he must have got a lot of experience. He also played for Services in the national competitions and was in action during his departmental games which have given him a lot of knowledge. He will do well this time again,” Joginder mentioned.