Picture Credit: Twitter
The eight edition of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is just fortnight ahead. Teams have started gearing up to lock horns against each other for the elite league, which will commence from December 23rd, 2021. In search of maiden title, Puneri Paltan will kick off their Season 8 campaign on the opening day against Dabang Delhi at Bengaluru's Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel & Convention Centre.
Paltan's have been one of the most unsuccessful teams in the league so far but under the guidance of Anup Kumar, who led U Mumba to their maiden title in second season, Pune will be looking to turn their fortunes around and lift the trophy. With the likes of Vishal Bhardwaj, Baldev Singh and Sombir, they have one of best defensive units whereas, skipper Nitin Tomar, along with Rahul Chaudhari and young sensation Pankaj Mohite, will be ready to raid the opponents in the best possible manner.
Each team will have 11 matches in the first half of the season, playing against every team once in the table. Paltans have their four matches scheduled in December 2021 while rest of their matches will be played in January, 2022. In view of COVID-19 protocols, all the matches are scheduled to take place in Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel and Convention Center without spectators. The teams will be put in single integrated and secure bio-bubble.
Puneri Paltans' Full Squad-:
Coach-: Anup Kumar
Captain-: Nitin Tomar
Defenders -: Balasaheb Shahaji Jadhav, Hadi Tajik, Sanket Sawant, Vishal Bhardwaj, Baldev Singh, Sombir, Karamvir, Abinesh Nadarajan, Sourav Kumar
Raider-: Pawan Kumar Kadian, Pankaj Mohite, Mohit Goyat, Rahul Chaudhari, Nitin Tomar, Vishwas
All-rounder -: Govind Gurjar, Victor Onyango Obiero, E Subash
Key Players-: Nitin Tomar, Pankaj Mohite Vishal Bharadwaj, Baldev Singh, Govind Gurjar
Team's schedule-:
December 23: Dabang Delhi K.C. vs. Puneri Paltan, 08:30 pm IST
December 25: Puneri Paltan vs. Telugu Titans, 08:30 pm IST
December 28: Puneri Paltan vs. Patna Pirates, 07:30 pm IST
December 31: Tamil Thalaivas vs. Puneri Paltan, 07:30 pm IST
January 2: Puneri Paltan vs. Bengaluru Bulls, 08:30 pm IST
January 5: Puneri Paltan vs. Gujarat Giants, 07:30 pm IST
January 7: Jaipur Pink Panthers vs. Puneri Paltan, 08:30 pm IST
January 9: Puneri Paltan vs. Bengal Warriors, 07:30 pm IST
January 13: U Mumba vs. Puneri Paltan, 08:30 pm IST
January 17: Puneri Paltan vs. UP Yoddha, 07:30 pm IST
January 19: Haryana Steelers vs. Puneri Paltan, 07:30 pm IST