U Mumba PKL 12 Auction Strategy
U Mumba is gearing up for the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 with a clear plan to strengthen their squad after a solid performance in PKL 11. Finishing fifth in the points table last season, U Mumba showed promise under the leadership of captain Sunil Kumar, with Ajit Chouhan emerging as a standout raider. However, their campaign ended with a playoff loss to Patna Pirates, highlighting areas for improvement. For the PKL 12 auction, U Mumba has retained their core players but made surprising moves by releasing key defenders like Rinku Sharma and Parvesh Bhainswal.
PKL 11 Performance
U Mumba had a decent run in PKL 11, finishing fifth in the points table with a mix of strong performances and missed opportunities. Led by captain Sunil Kumar, who scored 53 tackle points in 23 matches, the team showed resilience in defense. Ajit Chouhan was the star of the show, scoring an impressive 185 raid points in 23 matches, making him the fourth-best raider in the league. However, the team struggled with inconsistency in their raiding department, as other raiders failed to provide consistent support to Ajit. This inconsistency, combined with a playoff loss to Patna Pirates, exposed gaps in their squad that need to be addressed for PKL 12.
To prepare for the upcoming season, U Mumba announced their retention list, keeping their core players: Ajit Chouhan, Sunil Kumar, Amir Zafardanesh, and Rohit Raghav. These retentions provide a strong foundation, but the team’s decision to release key defenders like Rinku Sharma and Parvesh Bhainswal has raised eyebrows. With the PKL 12 auction scheduled for May 31 and June 1, 2025, in Mumbai, U Mumba is ready to address these gaps and build a competitive team.
Retaining the Core Squad
U Mumba’s decision to retain their core players shows confidence in their existing talent. Ajit Chouhan, with his 185 raid points last season, is a proven raider who can lead the attack. Sunil Kumar, a reliable defender and captain, brings leadership and stability to the team. Amir Zafardanesh and Rohit Raghav, both all-rounders, add versatility to the squad, capable of contributing in both raiding and defense. However, Zafardanesh’s inconsistent performance last season highlighted the need for additional raiding support.
By retaining these players, U Mumba ensures continuity and familiarity within the team. This core group gives the team a strong base to build upon, allowing them to focus on filling specific gaps in the PKL 12 auction. With a balanced mix of raiders, defenders, and all-rounders already in place, U Mumba can target players who complement their existing strengths.
Surprising Releases
One of the biggest surprises in U Mumba’s PKL 12 preparations was the release of Rinku Sharma, their second-best defender last season. Rinku’s contributions in the right corner were crucial, and his departure leaves a gap in the defensive unit. Similarly, Parvesh Bhainswal, a left cover defender, was released after an average performance in PKL 11. These moves suggest that U Mumba is looking to rebuild their defense with fresh talent while potentially using the Final Bid Match (FBM) card to bring back Rinku at a competitive price.
The FBM card allows U Mumba to match the highest bid for a released player, giving them a chance to retain Rinku Sharma without overspending. By releasing these players, U Mumba has likely freed up a significant portion of their salary purse, which they can use to target quality defenders and backup raiders in the PKL 12 auction.
Key Areas to Strengthen
U Mumba’s primary focus in the PKL 12 auction will be to strengthen their defensive unit. The release of Rinku Sharma and Parvesh Bhainswal has left gaps in the right corner and left cover positions. To build a strong defense around captain Sunil Kumar, U Mumba will need to find reliable defenders who can handle top raiders like Pawan Sehrawat and Naveen Kumar. Additionally, the team needs quality backup defenders to ensure depth and flexibility in the squad.
In the raiding department, U Mumba already has a strong leader in Ajit Chouhan. However, the inconsistent performances of Amir Zafardanesh and other raiders last season showed the need for a reliable backup raider. A secondary raider who can step up when needed will reduce the pressure on Ajit and provide balance to the team. By addressing these key areas, U Mumba can create a well-rounded squad capable of competing for the PKL 12 title.
Players to Target in the PKL 12 Auction
U Mumba’s auction strategy will focus on finding quality defenders to rebuild their defensive unit. With several experienced defenders available in the PKL 12 auction, the team has plenty of options to choose from. Here are some potential targets:
- Yogesh Dahiya: A strong right corner defender, Yogesh had an impressive season in PKL 11. His quick tackles and ability to read the game make him a perfect fit for U Mumba’s defensive setup.
- Deepak Singh: Known for his reliability in the right cover position, Deepak could provide stability and support to Sunil Kumar. His experience would help U Mumba shut down opposing raiders.
- Nitesh Kumar: With years of experience in the Pro Kabaddi League, Nitesh is a versatile defender who can play multiple positions. His leadership and tackling skills would be a valuable addition.
- Sanjay Dhull: Another solid option for the defensive unit, Sanjay’s consistent performances make him a reliable choice for U Mumba.
In addition to these defenders, U Mumba may use the FBM card to bring back Rinku Sharma. Retaining Rinku at an affordable price would allow the team to maintain continuity in the right corner while adding new talent to other defensive positions.
For the raiding department, U Mumba doesn’t need a big-name raider, as they already have Ajit Chouhan, Amir Zafardanesh, and Rohit Raghav. Instead, they should focus on a backup raider who can provide support when Zafardanesh or others are out of form. A young, emerging raider like Shivam Chaudhary, who showed promise in PKL 11, could be a smart addition. His speed and agility would complement Ajit’s raiding style, ensuring the team has depth in the raiding unit.
Building Depth and Flexibility
One of U Mumba’s key goals in the PKL 12 auction is to build a squad with depth and flexibility. Injuries, form slumps, and tough opponents are common in the Pro Kabaddi League, so having quality backups is essential. By adding reliable defenders and a backup raider, U Mumba can ensure they have players who can step up when needed. This depth will allow the team to adapt to different opponents and maintain consistency throughout the season.
Moreover, U Mumba’s retained all-rounders, Amir Zafardanesh and Rohit Raghav, provide flexibility. These players can contribute in both raiding and defense, giving the team options during matches. By adding complementary players in the auction, U Mumba can create a versatile squad that can handle any challenge in PKL 12.
Challenges in the PKL 12 Auction
The PKL 12 auction will be highly competitive, with top players like Pawan Sehrawat, Naveen Kumar, and Mohammadreza Shadloui attracting big bids from teams like Bengaluru Bulls, Telugu Titans, and Haryana Steelers. While U Mumba doesn’t need a star raider, they will face competition for quality defenders like Yogesh Dahiya and Nitesh Kumar. With multiple teams looking to strengthen their defenses, bidding wars could drive up prices.
Additionally, the decision to release Rinku Sharma and Parvesh Bhainswal carries some risk. If U Mumba fails to secure their top defensive targets or bring back Rinku using the FBM card, their defense could remain a weak point. However, with a strong core of retained players and a smart auction strategy, U Mumba is well-positioned to address these challenges.
U Mumba is entering the PKL 12 auction with a clear strategy to build a balanced and competitive team. By retaining key players like Ajit Chouhan, Sunil Kumar, Amir Zafardanesh, and Rohit Raghav, the team has a solid foundation. Their focus in the auction will be on strengthening their defense by targeting reliable defenders like Yogesh Dahiya, Deepak Singh, Nitesh Kumar, or Sanjay Dhull. They may also use the FBM card to bring back Rinku Sharma. In the raiding department, a backup raider will provide depth and support for Ajit Chouhan.
With the PKL 12 auction set for May 31 and June 1, 2025, in Mumbai, U Mumba fans are eager to see how their team shapes up. Under the leadership of captain Sunil Kumar and with a smart auction strategy, U Mumba is ready to build a squad that can go beyond the playoffs and compete for the Pro Kabaddi League title in Season 12.
FAQs
1. Why did U Mumba release Rinku Sharma for the PKL 12 auction?
U Mumba released Rinku Sharma to free up their salary purse, allowing them to bid for quality defenders in the PKL 12 auction. They may use the FBM card to bring him back at a competitive price.
2. Who are U Mumba’s top defensive targets in the PKL 12 auction?
U Mumba is likely to target defenders like Yogesh Dahiya, Deepak Singh, Nitesh Kumar, and Sanjay Dhull to strengthen their defensive unit for PKL 12.
3. How will U Mumba address their raiding needs in the PKL 12 auction?
U Mumba already has strong raiders in Ajit Chouhan, Amir Zafardanesh, and Rohit Raghav. They will focus on adding a reliable backup raider to provide depth and support in case of inconsistent performances.
