PKL 2024: Untested defensive unit can prove costly for Gujarat Giants- Preview, Squad

India's second-most watched league, Pro Kabaddi League, is back for its 11th edition on October 18th, 2024.

After an auction that saw records broken left, right, and center, all 12 franchises are getting a new look, from the change in players to the coaching personnel.

We look at how Gujarat Giants line up for the upcoming 11th season of the Pro Kabaddi League:

Gujarat Giants Season 10 Review

Gujarat Giants had a brilliant season under Ram Mehar Singh and reached playoffs finishing fourth in the league. Gujarat won 13 games out of 22 finishing the league stage with 70 points.

However, they lost to the Haryana Steelers in the playoffs ending the campaign on a disappointing note.

Parteek Dahiya and Rakesh led the raiding unit while Fazel Atrachali and Sombir combined in the defense for the team from Gujarat.

PKL Season 11- Squad Changes

Defender Neeraj Kumar is reunited with coach Ram Mehar Singh as he was bought to strengthen the leaking defence from the last season. Apart from Neeraj, Vahid Rezaeimehr of Iran and Manuj are other notable additions to the team.

In the raiding department, Guman Singh was bought for 1.97 crores INR in the auction. Gujarat also retained the services of experienced Iranian all-rounder Mohammed Nabibaksh.

Gujarat Giants full squad for PKL 2024

Rakesh, Parteek Dahiya, Nitin, Guman Singh, Monu, Himanshu, Himanshu Singh, Aadesh Siwach, Sombir, Vahid RezaEimehr, Neeraj Kumar, Harsh Mahesh Lad, Mohit, Manuj, Nitesh, Jitender Yadav, Balaji D, Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh, Raj D. Salunkhe, Rohan Singh.

PKL 11 Preview- Strength and Weakness

Strengths: With the addition of Guman Singh, Gujarat bolsters of a solid raiding unit with Parteek Dahiya and Rakesh completing the unit.

Much will hinge on Guman Singh, who is expected to be the team’s main raider after they acquired him for INR 1.97 crore at the Season 11 Player Auction.

Ninth on the leaderboard for most raid points (163) in Season 10, Guman has accumulated 400 raid points in the PKL and will be counted on to lead the Giants’ attack. He will be supported by Parteek Dahiya and Rakesh, both of whom are more than capable of wreaking havoc on opposition defences on their day.

Parteek Dahiya, in particular, has been impressive for Gujarat Giants, amassing 308 raid points in his two seasons with the team.

The addition of Neeraj Kumar as captain to aid Sombir in the defence is a good move.

Gujarat also has a match-winner in an experienced all-rounder Mohammed Nabibaksh who has the capability of turning the match around single-handedly.

Weaknesses: While their attack looks strong on paper, Gujarat Giants’ defence leaves much to be desired. Apart from Sombir and Neeraj Kumar, the Giants lack well-established defenders who have made a significant impact in the league.

Sombir has managed 194 tackle points in the PKL, while Neeraj Kumar has accumulated 172 tackle points.

Neeraj's poor form last season will be a concern but he has done well under Ram Mehar Singh and the same will be expected from him.

The general lack of experience across both Gujarat Giants’ defensive and raiding units could pose a significant area of concern to the team’s fortunes in Season 11. This proved to be a problem for the Giants in Season 10 as well when they lost plenty of close contests that they should have won.

Gujarat Giants Predicted Line-up for PKL 11

Manuj (Right Corner), Sombir (Left Corner), Guman Singh (Center), Parteek Dahiya/Rakesh (Right In), Mohammed Nabibaksh (Left In), Balaji D (Left Cover), Neeraj- Captain (Right Cover).