Team Talk: Rahul Chaudhari-led raiders key to Titans’ success

Season 5 was a tough campaign for Telugu Titans, missing out on the Super Playoffs for only the second time since the inception of VIVO Pro Kabaddi.

But the Titans, determined to overcome their shortcomings in Season 5, have built a solid roster by acquiring the services of quality players from the auction and retaining key players, making them an exciting prospect for the upcoming season. Chaudhari will also be seeking some personal vindication, as the Season 4 Best Raider will be looking to get his hands on that elusive MVP trophy as well as winning the VIVO Pro Kabaddi title for his team.

Team Highlights

Quality raiding department

Led by Rahul Chaudhari and supported by Nilesh Salunke and Mohsen Maghsodloujafari, the Titans boast of a highly capable raiding unit that can take apart any team on their own.

Chaudhari, the all-time leader in total points and Raid Points in VIVO Pro Kabaddi, had a down year in Season 5 compared to his exploits in the previous four editions, finishing only sixth in the list of Most Raid Points over the course of the season. Chaudhari will be raring to have a go at Pardeep Narwal and challenge him all the way for the Best Raider as well as the MVP award.

Salunke, entering his fourth VIVO Pro Kabaddi campaign, scored 105 points for the Titans last campaign which prompted them to retain his services for the upcoming season. With three Super 10s in Season 5, Salunke proved that he possesses the ability to take over games and decide them on his own.

Maghsodloujafari will be returning for his second campaign with the Titans after scoring 47 points in 16 games in Season 5 and the 23-year-old will be looking to build off that in his second year.

Stating Stats

Wins - 37

Draws - 11

Losses – 34

Total Points scored – 2712 (59.03% from Raid Points and 28.06% from Tackle Points)

Total Points conceded - 2556

All-Outs inflicted – 111

Most Successful Raider – Rahul Chaudhari with 666 Raid Points in 79 matches.

Most Successful Defender – Vishal Bharadwaj with 77 Tackle Points in 24 matches.

Form Guide

1. The Titans’ tally of 2712 points through five seasons of the league is the second-highest among all teams.

2. Rahul Chaudhari, who has spent his entire VIVO Pro Kabaddi career with the Titans, leads the all-time list in Raid Points with 666 as well as Total Points with 710.

3. Vishal Bhardwaj had an outstanding campaign for the Telegu Titans in Season 5, finishing with 71 Tackle Points, the third-most in the league but his average of 3.23 Tackle Points a game was bettered only by Surender Nada’s 3.81.

4. Titan’s Right Corner Sombir’s six Super Tackles in Season 5 was tied for second-most in the league behind Jeeva Kumar’s seven.