File photo of UP Yoddhas. Image: UP Yoddhas/Twitter
UP Yoddhas, who have started participating in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) from the fifth season, have never won the title but they have made it to the playoffs every time. Despite signing some big names like Rishank Devadiga, Nitin Tomar, Jeeva Kumar, Rajesh Narwal and Pardeep Narwal, they have struggled in the most important phase of the competition.
Notably, the Uttar Pradesh-based franchise had retained key players before the auction and got back some of their old players during this auction. Moreover, UP retained their star Pardeep Narwal, whose performance was average last season. The side released Narwal, who is the league’s best raider of all time, before the auction but recovered them at a lower price during the auction using FBM cards.
Season by season results:
Season 5 – Third position in Group BSeason 6 – Third position in Group BSeason 7: ThirdSeason 8: Third
UP Yoddhas Squad in PKL 9:
Defenders: Nitesh Kumar, Sumit, Ashu Singh, Shubham Kumar, Abozar Mohajermighani, Babu M, Jaideep.
Raiders: Pardeep Narwal, Surender Gill, Nitin Tomar, Anil Kumar, Mahipal, Rohit Tomar, Aman, Durgesh Kumar, Rathan K, Gulveer Singh.
All Rounders: Gurdeep, Nehal Desai, Nitin Panwar
Schedule:
7 October Shree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium
12 October