As the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2023 auctions draw near, U Mumba’s skipper, Surinder Singh, has expressed his desire to bolster the team’s raiding department with the inclusion of an experienced raider. While U Mumba boasts a formidable defensive unit, they seek a quality raider to complement their lineup.
The U Mumba squad currently features a blend of young and relatively inexperienced players, with Surinder Singh and Rinku being the senior members. Despite the lack of experience, Surinder Singh remains optimistic about the team’s prospects, thanks in part to the return of their Iranian coach, Gholamreza Mazandarani, who previously coached the team in 2018.
Speaking about the team’s approach, Surinder Singh stated, “We are not really worried about the lack of experience. This year we will have Gholamreza coach with us from Iran, and we will be banking on his experience. So that is not really a concern for us.” He emphasized the coaching staff’s wealth of experience and their commitment to delivering a successful season.
Addressing U Mumba’s need for an experienced raider, Surinder Singh acknowledged the pivotal role raiders play in close matches. He stressed the importance of adding A or B category raiders to the team during the auctions to provide stability and firepower in the raiding department. He also mentioned his ideal choice, Maninder Singh, known for his raiding prowess and ability to single-handedly turn the tide in favor of his team.
Singh elaborated on the impact of having a strong raider like Maninder Singh, saying, “He is one bull in the ring. Such a player, who is so well-built, has a lesser chance of getting injured. Players like him, and Siddarth Desai. When such players come to raid, the pressure mounts on the opposition team.”
As the U Mumba franchise prepares for the PKL 2023 auctions, they have just over INR 2.5 crore left in their purse. Acquiring a top-tier raider may require a significant portion of their budget, but Surinder Singh believes it is a crucial investment to address the team’s raiding woes.
With their sights set on securing an experienced raider, U Mumba aims to create a well-rounded and competitive squad for the upcoming PKL season.
Roaring with excitement 🦁🇮🇷 The Lion of Iran returns home to our den. 🧡
Mandali, welcome back Gholamreza Mazandarani as our Coach for Season 10 of Pro Kabaddi. @RonnieScrewvala @suhailchandhok@ProKabaddi#CoachKaunHai | #UMumba | #MeMumba | #Mumboys | #WeAreMumbai pic.twitter.com/S0HFv51IHE
— U Mumba (@umumba) August 9, 2023
U Mumba PKL 2023 Squad:
- Surinder Singh
- Jai Bhagwan
- Rinku
- Heidarali Ekrami
- Shivam
- Shivansh Thakur
- Pranay Vinay Rane
- Rupesh
- Sachin