Five players for whom ‘Age is just a number’
– Ambrish Upadhyay
‘Age is just a number. Your talent will never fail you, it has no expiry date’
Few Kabaddi players justify the above quote very wel. Kabaddi is a sport which requires a lot of stamina & energy. There are a lot of veteran kabaddi players who are still participating actively in the most loved kabaddi league around the world Pro Kabaddi League.
Here are the 5 players who are 35 or above and will be part in Pro Kabaddi League Season 8.
1. DHARMARAJ CHERALATHAN (AGE 46)
A veteran of almost two decades, Dharamaraj Cheralathan is one of the most experienced players in kabaddi. The experienced corner defender clinched the gold medal with the Indian national team in the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup. The thing which makes him exceptional is he can play at both the corner positions with comfort.
He successfully captained Patna Pirates to their second title in Season 4 of VIVO Pro Kabaddi.
Statistically speaking, ‘Anna’ has played 118 PKL matches (259 tackle points) so far & has been part of 6 PKL franchises in his PKL career (U Mumba, Puneri Paltan, Patna Pirates, Bengaluru Bulls, Telugu Titans, Haryana Steelers). He will be playing for a new franchise ‘Jaipur Pink Panthers’ in season 8, which will be his 7th franchise.
2. JEEVA KUMAR (AGE 40)
A veteran defender of the Kabaddi world, Jeeva Kumar is known for his superb Super Tackle skills. He remains calm in pressure situations and tackles raiders with minimal support. The veteran cover defender clinched a gold medal with the Indian national team in the 2010 Asian Games.
Talking about his PKL career, he has been 2 times champion (PKL 2 with U Mumba & PKL 7 with Bengal Warriors). Jeeva has played 115 PKL matches so far & scored 234 tackle points.
Jeeva will be the part of Dabang Delhi KC in season 8.
3. JOGINDER NARWAL (AGE 39)
One of the finest Left Corner of the sport, Joginder Narwal has been playing in PKL since Season 2.
Joginder is known for his sharp ankle hold skills, and the experience which he carries with him on the mat is just exceptional. Joginder has played 82 PKL matches so far and scored 173 tackle points.
Joginder will be the part of Dabang Delhi KC in Season 8.
4. MANJEET CHHILLAR (AGE 35)
‘Mighty Manjeet’ yes that’s the name he has got by his phenomenal skills on the kabaddi field.
Undoubtedly, the best all-rounder of this sport has ruled the kabaddi mat for years. Manjeet clinched gold medals with the Indian national team in 2010 Asian Games, 2014 Asian Games & 2016 Kabaddi World Cup. He has also been awarded the Arjuna Award for his achievements in kabaddi.
Manjeet was the “best defender” of PKL Season 1, he also won the championship with Jaipur Pink Panthers in PKL 1.
Manjeet has played 108 PKL matches and scored 563 total points. He will be the part of Dabang Delhi KC in Season 8.
5. AJAY THAKUR (AGE 35)
The ‘Padma Shree’ & ‘Arjuna Awardee’ Ajay Thakur has successfully captained the Indian National Kabaddi Team for years. The Finest raider of this sport made his debut for Indian National Kabaddi Team at 2007 Asian Indoor Games where he won the Gold Medal with the team. Ajay also clinched gold medals with the Indian National Kabaddi Team at 2014 Asian Games, 2016 Kabaddi World Cup, 2017 Asian Kabaddi Championship.
Ajay has had a tremendous run in PKL too, Ajay has scored 790 raid points in 115 PKL matches so far.
The ‘Iceman’ Ajay Thakur will be the part of Dabang Delhi KC in Season 8.