Dabang Delhi K.C. and Bengal Warriors have been given a direct entry into the semifinals courtesy of their top-two finish, while the four other teams, namely U.P. Yoddha, Haryana Steelers, U Mumba and defending champions, Bengaluru Bulls, will be looking to book a spot in the last four with a win from their eliminator matches.
With the upcoming knockout stages week monikered as the ‘World’s Toughest Week’, the captains of the six teams in contention spoke about the challenges that lie ahead for their side.
One of the main players behind the Bengaluru Bulls’ decent run this season has been Pawan Sehrawat, who in Rohit Kumar’s absence has led the team to a couple of handy wins. When quizzed about the plans ahead of the eliminator match against the U.P. Yoddha, Pawan was quick to answer and also stated that Rohit Kumar is set to return after an injury layoff.
While the Bulls just about managed to earn a spot in the playoffs, the U.P. Yoddha, on the other hand, did well to claim three wins from four of their home games and finish third on the points table.
One of the Yoddha’s biggest positives this season has been the partnership of the corner defenders in Sumit and skipper Nitesh Kumar, but the latter also credited the raiders for giving their best on to the mat that has given their side some momentum heading into the playoffs.
Among the star players present at the press conference, Bengal Warriors’ Mohd. Esmaeil Nabibakhsh, who is in line to replace Maninder Singh as captain shed light on his first season in the PKL and the targets in place ahead of the Warriors’ semifinal clash.
While five of the top six teams which made it to the playoffs last season made the cut in this edition, Haryana Steelers skipper Dharmaraj Cheralathan was all smiles, having led his side into the knockout stages of the ongoing edition after a rock-bottom finish for the side from last season.
Speaking of pressure, there is no one more adept at giving an account about thriving under pressure than ace corner defender Fazel Atrachali, who will be gunning to lead U Mumba towards a title.
Sitting pretty at the top of the points table, Dabang Delhi K.C.’s tremendous form this season has come at the back of a fine performance from Naveen Kumar, who will hold the ‘X-factor’ for his side in the semifinals.
When Delhi skipper Joginder Narwal was asked about the need for the others to chip in, the veteran corner defender added emphasis on how the team has come together as a whole, a major reason for the team’s positive campaign in PKL 2019.
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