Players with famous nicknames in VIVO Pro Kabaddi League

VIVO Pro Kabaddi League has laid a perfect foundation for several players to hone their skills and use the platform to gain the limelight in the sport of kabaddi. In the eight seasons of the league so far, some players have impressed with their gameplay and earned various nicknames that the fans address them by.

Here, we look at the players who have earned famous nicknames in the Pro Kabaddi League.

HI-FLYER (PAWAN SEHRAWAT)

Considered to be one of the exceptional raiders in PKL, Hi-Flyer Pawan Sehrawat is a name synonymous with almost everyone. The captain of Bengaluru Bulls was significant in helping his side reach the semi-final in Season 8 as he topped the league with 304 raid points, 37 points clear of the second-placed Arjun Deshwal. The raider earned the nickname due to his prowess in going over the defenders’ shoulders and making a quick escape with his lion jumps. He also registered 18 Super 10s, the highest in the league in Season 8.  

RECORD-BREAKER (PARDEEP NARWAL)

Record-Breaker Pardeep Narwal led U.P. Yoddha’s charge in the second half of the season with some stellar performances that guided his side to the playoffs. A raider with tremendous skills and unmatched presence of mind, Pardeep has mastered the art of Dubki, a skill by which he gets past the defenders' attempt of a chain tackle with ease. He also smashed an all-time record of becoming the most expensive kabaddi player in history at the Season 8 player auction. Pardeep was the first player to win back-to-back MVPs in Seasons 4 and 5. Pardeep also tops the list for the most points by a raider in the league (1348).

SUPER MANI (MANINDER SINGH)

The title-winning captain of Bengal Warriors in Season 7, Maninder Singh is also known as Super Mani, courtesy of his raiding style that involves a great deal of brute force. Though he could not lead his side to the playoffs in Season 8, he amassed 262 raid points to emerge as the third-best raider of the season. He is a huge threat to any opposition every time he steps on the mat. 

NAVEEN EXPRESS (NAVEEN KUMAR)

Naveen Kumar is an absolute superstar in the making. Representing Dabang Delhi K.C. since PKL Season 6, Naveen’s speed and consistency make him one of the best raiders in the league, earning him the nickname Naveen Express. His ability to dodge defenders and fox the best of them with ease is unparalleled. The raider became only the second player after Pardeep Narwal to earn back-to-back MVP titles, having won it earlier in Season 7. The youngster also holds the record of scoring 28 successive Super 10s, the most by any player in PKL history. 

SULTAN (FAZEL ATRACHALI)

One of the most loved and respected foreign players in VIVO Pro Kabaddi is Fazel Atrachali. Nicknamed Sultan, the left corner defender from Iran is only the second player in the league to win the best defender award twice. Captaining U Mumba, he has shown tremendous potential and has been at the forefront of U Mumba’s famed defence since Season 6. His waist hold is known to be one of the most effective moves that even the best raiders don’t have an answer to.