A sturdy built and inherent strength are two of the strongest traits that make a defender unstoppable. Whether it’s a dash across the mat or an ankle hold, a defender needs to identify the weaknesses of the opponent raider in a quick glance and pounce on the opportunity.
Given the agility of the raiders these days, scoring five or more tackle points by a single player is a remarkable feat and a tough task for any defender. Thus, getting a High 5 in a match is a coveted aim for any defender in the Pro Kabaddi circuit.
Here we take a look at the top three defenders who led the all-time High 5 tally prior to the start of season seven.
Manjeet Chhillar (21)
An epitome of strength and resilience, Manjeet Chhillar has been the most prolific defender in the league since its inception. His ability to withhold raiders with his signature ‘Block’ has been the biggest weapon in his armoury. He racked up 121 tackles, his career-best, in the sixth season with Tamil Thalaivas.
Chhillar ne jeet liya man! 🙌
— ProKabaddi (@ProKabaddi) November 2, 2018
As the One-Man Army scores his first High 5 of the season, will Manjeet Chhillar and the rest of the @tamilthalaivas take this match home? #UPvCHE
Manjeet is a true all-rounder as he posted a phenomenal record of successfully completing 40.11% raids in the inaugural season of the league. But his niche lies in defence where he can tackle the opposition with ease. Having 21 High 5s to his name is a feat only few would envision and Manjeet has pulled that off with conviction. He is playing for
PO Surjeet Singh (20)
Surjeet Singh only came on the roster of Pro Kabaddi in the third season. He broke into the eyes of many only in the fifth season when he completed nine High 5’s and cemented his place with the Bengal Warriors, who retained him for the subsequent season. His stint with the Warriors was a success as Singh earned 130 tackle points in just 47 matches across two seasons.
Singh has mastered the art of surprising the opponent with a sudden dash throwing the raider out of bounds. Playing for Puneri Paltan in the ongoing season seven, Singh has been their key man in the defensive line.
Ravinder Pahal (20)
Playing in his fifth Pro Kabaddi season, Dabang Delhi’s Ravinder Pahal is arguably one of the most successful defenders in the league. Pahal has been triumphant in completing 20 High 5’s till the sixth season as he has been carefully guarding the right corner of his team. His most notable performances came in the fifth season when he crossed the 50-tackle point for the second time in the league.
The diving thigh-hold specialist also posted a 51.38% tackle strike rate in the fourth season for the Puneri Paltan which till date remains his best strike rate for a season.
Feature image courtesy: Star Sports & PKL
