Bengal Warriorz PKL 12 Auction Strategy
The Bengal Warriorz are heading into the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 with a fresh approach after a disappointing performance in PKL 11. Despite high expectations following the Season 11 auction, the team struggled, finishing tenth with only five wins, fourteen losses, and three ties. Star players like Maninder Singh and Fazel Atrachali couldn’t deliver consistently, and the team lacked unity. To turn things around, the Warriorz have pressed the reset button, parting ways with head coach Prashant Surve and appointing Naveen Kumar as the new coach. With only five players retained, the team has a lot of work to do in the PKL 12 auction.
A Disappointing PKL 11 Campaign
Heading into PKL 11, the Bengal Warriorz were considered title favorites due to their star-studded squad. With players like Maninder Singh, Fazel Atrachali, and Nitesh Kumar, reaching the playoffs seemed almost certain. However, the season was a shock, as the team failed to gel. Maninder Singh, one of the league’s most successful raiders, was hampered by injuries and poor form. Fazel Atrachali, a defensive stalwart, lacked support, while Nitesh Kumar’s performance continued to decline. As a result, the Season 7 champions finished tenth, far below expectations.
To address these issues, the Warriorz have made bold changes for PKL 12. They parted ways with coach Prashant Surve and brought in Naveen Kumar, a former Indian Navy and Sports Authority of India coach with a fresh perspective. The team retained only five players—Vishwas, Sushil Kambrekar, and three New Young Players (NYPs)—giving them a large salary purse for the PKL 12 auction, set for May 31 and June 1, 2025, in Mumbai. With new leadership and a clean slate, the Warriorz are ready to build a competitive squad.
Avoiding Heavy Spending on One Raider
One of the key lessons from PKL 11 was the risk of relying on a single star raider. Maninder Singh, the second-most prolific raider in PKL history with 1,428 raid points, struggled last season, and the team lacked other reliable raiders to step up. For PKL 12, the Warriorz are likely to avoid spending heavily on one marquee raider, even with big names like Arjun Deshwal, Pawan Sehrawat, Ashu Malik, Naveen Kumar, and Devank Dalal available in the auction.
Instead, the Warriorz plan to build a balanced raiding unit with young, potent players. Their first move will be to use the Final Bid Match (FBM) card to bring back Nitin Dhankar, who showed he can lead the raiding unit with 134 raid points in PKL 11. Pairing Nitin with retained players Vishwas and Sushil Kambrekar, both promising young raiders, creates a strong foundation. To add depth, the Warriorz could target raiders like Guman Singh, Akash Shinde, or Sachin Tanwar. Guman scored 178 raid points in PKL 11, while Akash and Sachin bring experience and consistency.
This strategy avoids over-reliance on one player and creates a versatile raiding unit. While it may disappoint some fans, the Warriorz are likely to move on from Maninder Singh, as his age and recent form suggest he may not deliver the same impact. By focusing on younger raiders, the Warriorz can build a dynamic attack for PKL 12.
Bringing Back Fazel Atrachali
Defense was a major weak point for the Bengal Warriorz in PKL 11, with Fazel Atrachali lacking support from other defenders. For PKL 12, the team is determined to build a strong defensive unit, and bringing back Fazel remains a top priority. Known as “The Sultan,” Fazel is the most successful defender in PKL history with 545 tackle points. Despite not being at his peak, his experience and calm leadership make him an ideal captain for the Warriorz.
The team is likely to use the FBM card to secure Fazel at a competitive price. If they face stiff competition for Fazel, they could also target Mohammadreza Shadloui, an all-rounder who earned 97 tackle points in PKL 10. Other options include Ankush, a consistent left corner defender, and Nitin Rawal, a versatile all-rounder with 74 tackle points in PKL 11. By adding one of these experienced defenders, the Warriorz can anchor their defense and provide leadership for their young NYP defenders.
Splurging on a Right Corner Defender
In addition to Fazel Atrachali, the Bengal Warriorz need a reliable right corner defender to complete their defensive unit. They are likely to use another FBM card to bring back Mayur Kadam, who performed well in PKL 11 with his tackling skills in the right cover position. Retaining Mayur would provide continuity and stability in the defense.
If the Warriorz have enough funds, they could splurge on a top right corner defender like Yogesh Dahiya, who was among the top tacklers in PKL 11. Other options include Rinku Sharma, Krishan Dhull, and Saurabh Nandal, all of whom bring experience and reliability. For the left cover position, players like Sanket Sawant or Gurdeep could be targeted. If the budget allows, Parvesh Bhainswal, whose price has dropped in recent years, could also be a cost-effective option.
By investing in a strong right corner and left cover, the Warriorz aim to create a defense-heavy squad, a formula that worked for defending champions Haryana Steelers in PKL 11. This approach will help them stop top raiders like Naveen Kumar and Pawan Sehrawat while supporting their young defenders.
Building a Balanced Squad
Under new coach Naveen Kumar, the Bengal Warriorz are focusing on building a balanced squad with depth. The retention of Vishwas, Sushil Kambrekar, and three NYP defenders provides a youthful core, but the team needs experienced players to guide them. By combining young raiders like Nitin Dhankar and Vishwas with seasoned defenders like Fazel Atrachali and Mayur Kadam, the Warriorz can create a team that excels in both raiding and defense.
Depth is also crucial, as injuries and form slumps can disrupt a season. The Warriorz could target backup players like Shivam Chaudhary for raiding and Amirhossein Bastami for defense to ensure they have options during tough matches. This balanced approach will make the Warriorz a versatile and competitive team in PKL 12.
Challenges in the PKL 12 Auction
The PKL 12 auction will be highly competitive, with teams like Tamil Thalaivas, Bengaluru Bulls, and Telugu Titans also having large salary purses. Top players like Fazel Atrachali, Mohammadreza Shadloui, and Yogesh Dahiya will attract big bids, making it challenging for the Warriorz to secure their targets. Additionally, the decision to release Maninder Singh and other key players carries some risk, as the team is essentially starting from scratch.
However, with Coach Naveen Kumar’s experience and a strategic approach, the Warriorz are well-equipped to navigate these challenges. By using their FBM cards wisely and balancing their budget between raiding and defense, they can build a squad capable of reaching the playoffs.
The Bengal Warriorz are entering the PKL 12 auction with a clear plan to rebuild after a disappointing Season 11. By avoiding heavy spending on one raider, they aim to create a balanced raiding unit with players like Nitin Dhankar, Guman Singh, or Sachin Tanwar. Bringing back Fazel Atrachali and investing in a top right corner defender like Yogesh Dahiya or Mayur Kadam will strengthen their defense. Under new coach Naveen Kumar, the Warriorz are focused on building a defense-heavy squad complemented by a young, dynamic raiding unit.
With the PKL 12 auction set for May 31 and June 1, 2025, in Mumbai, Bengal Warriorz fans are eager to see their team return to its winning ways. Will Coach Naveen Kumar’s strategy lead the Season 7 champions back to the top? The auction will be a crucial step in their journey to reclaim glory in Pro Kabaddi League Season 12.
FAQs
1. Why did Bengal Warriorz release Maninder Singh for the PKL 12 auction?
The Bengal Warriorz released Maninder Singh due to his injury issues and poor form in PKL 11, opting to build a younger, more balanced raiding unit for the upcoming season.
2. Who are the Bengal Warriorz’s top defensive targets in the PKL 12 auction?
The Warriorz are likely to target Fazel Atrachali, Mohammadreza Shadloui, Yogesh Dahiya, and Mayur Kadam to strengthen their defensive unit for PKL 12.
3. How will Coach Naveen Kumar’s strategy help the Bengal Warriorz in PKL 12?
Coach Naveen Kumar plans to build a defense-heavy squad with a balanced raiding unit, using experienced players like Fazel Atrachali and young talents like Nitin Dhankar to create a competitive team.
