PKL 12: UP Yoddhas Squad Analysis for Pro Kabaddi League Season 12
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 is set to bring thrilling action, and the UP Yoddhas are ready to make a strong impact. After a disappointing Season 10 and a semifinal finish in Season 11, the UP Yoddhas have built a balanced squad for PKL 12. Led by head coach Jasvir Singh, the team has a mix of experienced players and young talent. With key signings like Guman Singh and a solid core of raiders and defenders, the UP Yoddhas aim to compete for the PKL 12 title.
To begin with, the UP Yoddhas squad for PKL 12 is a blend of seasoned players and promising newcomers. The team retained key players like Surender Gill, Bhavani Rajput, and Sumit before the PKL 12 auction. Additionally, they made smart purchases, including Guman Singh for INR 1.073 crore, Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi for INR 20 lakh, and Korean raider Dong Geon Lee for INR 13.50 lakh. This UP Yoddhas squad analysis for PKL 12 highlights their strong raiding unit and experienced defense, which could make them a top contender in the Pro Kabaddi League 2025.
The squad includes 19 players: nine raiders and ten defenders. This balance ensures the team can attack aggressively while maintaining a solid defensive line. Jasveer Singh, who has been with the UP Yoddhas since Season 6, continues as head coach. His experience has led the team to the playoffs in all but one season, making him a key figure in this UP Yoddhas squad analysis for PKL 12.
The UP Yoddhas squad for the PKL Season 12:
Raiders (9 Players): Bhavani Rajput – Raider (India), Surender Gill – Raider (India), Gagan Gowda – Right Raider (India), Keshav Kumar – Raider (India), Guman Singh – Raider (India), Dong Geon Lee – Raider (Korea), Jatin Singh – Right Raider (India), Pranay Rane – Raider (India), Shivam Chaudhary – Left Raider (India)
Defenders (10 Players): Sumit – Defender, Left Corner (India), Ashu Singh – Defender, Right, Cover (India), Hitesh – Defender, Right Corner (India), Sahul Kumar – Defender, Right Corner (India), Mahender Singh – Defender, Left Cover (India), Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi – Defender, Left Corner (Iran), Gangaram – Defender, Left Cover (India), Sachin Manipal – Defender, Right Cover (India), Jayesh Mahajan – Defender, Left Corner (India), Ronak Nain – Defender, Left Cover (India)
Raiding Unit: A Key Strength in PKL 12
Firstly, the UP Yoddhas’ raiding unit is one of their biggest strengths in PKL 12. Surender Gill, a star raider, leads the attack with nearly 500+ raid points in his PKL career. Despite fitness issues limiting him to 24 games over the last two seasons, Gill’s 140 raid points in Season 9 and 87 in Season 10 show his ability to perform well. For PKL 12, Gill has a chance to step up as the lead raider after Pardeep Narwal’s departure, making him a central figure in this UP Yoddhas squad analysis for PKL 12.
Moreover, the addition of Guman Singh strengthens the raiding department. Guman, bought for INR 1.073 crore, has 559 raid points in 81 PKL matches, including 26 Super 10s. His experience and consistency make him a vital asset for PKL 12. Bhavani Rajput, another key raider, scored eight Super 10s in Season 11, adding depth to the attack. Gagana Gowda, with 92 raid points in his debut season, and young raiders like Keshav Kumar, Shivam Chaudhary, Jatin Singh, and Pranay Rane provide versatility.
Defensive Strength in PKL 12
On the other hand, the UP Yoddhas’ defense is equally impressive in this UP Yoddhas squad analysis for PKL 12. Sumit, the team’s most reliable defender, has 326 tackle points and 24 High 5s across five seasons with the Yoddhas. His consistency at the left corner makes him a cornerstone of the defense. Hitesh, another key defender, was the team’s top performer in Season 11 with 74 tackle points and 10 High 5s in his 40-match career. His role at the right corner will be crucial in PKL 12.
Additionally, defenders like Ashu Singh, Sahul Kumar, and Mahender Singh bring experience to the squad. However, their tackle points in Season 10 were low, Ashu with 20, Sahul with 39, and Mahender with 31, indicating a need for improvement. The addition of Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi, an Iranian defender, strengthens the left corner. Other defenders, including Gangaram, Sachin Manipal, Jayesh Mahajan, and Ronak Nain, add depth to the UP Yoddhas squad for PKL 12.
Key Players to Watch in PKL 12
Furthermore, several players stand out in this UP Yoddhas squad analysis for PKL 12. Surender Gill’s fitness and form will be critical. If he stays injury-free, his ability to score raid points could lead the team to the playoffs. Guman Singh’s experience and knack for Super 10s make him a game-changer. On the defensive side, Sumit’s consistency and Hitesh’s recent form make them players to watch in PKL 12. Gagana Gowda and Bhavani Rajput are also expected to contribute significantly, adding firepower to the raiding unit.
The international players, Dong Geon Lee and Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi, bring a fresh dynamic to the UP Yoddhas squad for PKL 12. Lee’s speed and Kaboudrahangi’s defensive skills could surprise opponents in the Pro Kabaddi League 2025. Young raiders like Shivam Chaudhary and Keshav Kumar have the potential to shine, adding depth to the squad.
Team Balance and Strategy for PKL 12
Moreover, the UP Yoddhas squad for PKL 12 is well-balanced, with a strong raiding unit and a reliable defense. The team’s strategy under Jasveer Singh will likely focus on aggressive raiding led by Gill and Guman, supported by a tight defensive unit anchored by Sumit and Hitesh. The depth in both departments allows flexibility, with young players like Jatin Singh and Pranay Rane ready to step up when needed.
However, the UP Yoddhas squad analysis for PKL 12 also reveals areas for improvement. The defense struggled in Season 10, with low tackle points from key players. For PKL 12, defenders like Ashu Singh and Mahender Singh must step up to support Sumit and Hitesh. Additionally, Surender Gill’s fitness remains a concern, as his limited appearances in recent seasons impacted the team’s performance.
Coaching and Leadership in PKL 12
In addition, Jasveer Singh’s experience as head coach is a major asset for the UP Yoddhas in PKL 12. He has guided the team to the playoffs in five of their six seasons, with Season 10 being the only exception. His ability to manage a mix of experienced and young players will be crucial in PKL 12. The absence of a designated captain in the provided squad list suggests that leadership roles may be shared among senior players like Sumit, Surender Gill, or Guman Singh.
The UP Yoddhas squad for PKL 12 is a strong contender in the Pro Kabaddi League 2025. With a powerful raiding unit led by Surender Gill and Guman Singh, and a solid defense anchored by Sumit and Hitesh, the team has the balance to challenge for the title. The addition of international players and young talent adds depth, while Jasveer Singh’s coaching experience provides stability. This UP Yoddhas squad analysis for PKL 12 shows a team ready to bounce back from past setbacks and make a strong push in the Pro Kabaddi League 2025.
FAQs About UP Yoddhas Squad Analysis for PKL 12
1. Who are the key raiders in the UP Yoddhas squad for PKL 12?
The key raiders in the UP Yoddhas squad for PKL 12 include Surender Gill, Guman Singh, Bhavani Rajput, and Gagan Gowda, with young talents like Shivam Chaudhary and Keshav Kumar also expected to contribute.
2. Who leads the UP Yoddhas defense in PKL 12?
Sumit, with 326 tackle points in his PKL career, leads the UP Yoddhas defense in PKL 12, supported by Hitesh, Sahul and other defenders like Ashu Singh and Mahender Singh.
3. Who is the head coach of UP Yoddhas for PKL 12?
Jasvir Singh is the head coach of UP Yoddhas for PKL 12, having been with the team since Season 6 and guiding them to the playoffs in five of their six seasons.
