Journey of the top three teams from Zone A

Zone A saw some early fireworks which ensured that Gujarat Fortunegiants and U Mumba were among the earliest teams to qualify for the Playoffs after some good performances in the Inter Zone matches. Their battle for the top spot went down to the wire with Gujarat Fortunegiants finally coming out ahead with a game in hand. Dabang Delhi K.C. rode on the back of a strong home leg to seal their spot in the Playoffs as well for the first time in the team’s history. We take a detailed look here at the three teams to qualify for the Playoffs from Zone A.

Gujarat Fortunegiants

Gujarat Fortunegiants have been an extremely consistent team, finishing top of their zone for the second season in succession. Boasting of depth in both, the raiding and tackling department, they have been in good form all throughout the season, marshalling their resources perfectly in every match. After scoring just four points in their first two games, they went on a nine-match unbeaten streak which finally came to an end against Dabang Delhi K.C.

They lost just three matches this campaign and never in back-to-back games. While their home domination came to an end after losing to Dabang Delhi K.C. at home, they managed to dominate their Inter Zone fixtures by not slipping to a loss in any of them. They also won points in all but one game this season.

The team’s best performance of the season came against Patna Pirates in Match 94, where they won by 18 points riding on Parvesh Bhainswal’s eight-tackle-points effort; the best individual performance by one of their defenders this season. They head into the Playoffs on the back of a six-match winning streak in their final league fixtures.

Average Points Scored: 35.27

Average Points Conceded: 29.95

Best Raider: Sachin

Best Defender: Parvesh Bhainswal

U Mumba

The highest scoring team in the group stages of VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 6, U Mumba were in the running for the top spot from their zone all through the season before being pipped by Gujarat Fortunegiants at the final hurdle. A team with arguably one of the most consistent defensive setups, U Mumba eventually finished their group stage matches as the team with the most tackle points. While U Mumba have scored at least a point in all their games this season, their most successful period was towards the end of their campaign where they won five of their last seven games.

U Mumba lost five matches in this campaign, including back-to-back losses in their home leg. However, many times when the side won, they won big, winning by 21 points or more in four of their matches.

While their best performance of the season came against Haryana Steelers in Match 14, where they won by 27 points, their best individual performance occurred in Match 91 when Siddharth Desai returned 19 raid points.

Average Points Scored: 37.59

Average Points Conceded: 29

Best Raider: Siddharth Desai

Best Defender: Fazel Atrachali

Dabang Delhi K.C.

Dabang Delhi K.C. qualified for their first ever VIVO Pro Kabaddi Playoffs when Jaipur Pink Panthers and U Mumba played out a tie in Match 114. A team with some stalwarts in defence, the Dabang Delhi K.C. raiders, too, created an impact throughout the season. They head into the Playoffs on the back of successive wins in their last two league stage matches.

While Dabang Delhi K.C. lost nine games this season, they had the best home run amongst all teams, winning five games in that spell. Dabang Delhi K.C. also registered a first-ever win over Telugu Titans, when they beat them at home, to demonstrate how commanding they are in this season.

Dabang Delhi K.C.’s win in Match 89 over Jaipur Pink Panthers was their best of the season. Meraj Sheykh’s 15 raid points in their first home match which was their best individual performance over the course of the season.

Average Points Scored: 34.09

Average Points Conceded: 34.13

Best Raider: Naveen Kumar

Best Defender: Ravinder Pahal