With 12 wins out of 14 on their way to the Pro Kabaddi League title in August, U Mumba certainly deserved to be crowned champions. And now, with little more than a month for the third season to kick-start, the defending champions have stolen a march over their rivals with the signing of India skipper Rakesh Kumar.
Having missed the majority of last season due to injury, the former Patna Pirates raider didn't think twice before deciding to switch sides. After all, Rakesh was impressed with what he saw of U Mumba from the sidelines on television. Speaking alongside U Mumba captain and Indian teammate Anup Kumar, Rakesh felt that the defending champions have a near-perfect side now.
"Last season, they got stronger with each passing game and it didn't seem like they would lose at any point," Rakesh, who led India to gold at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, said at Mumbai on Sunday. "You wondered if U Mumba had any weaknesses but their two defeats did give hope to other sides. However, with me coming back from injury and ready to go, this team now has one less weakness and one more strength."
Anup seconded his teammate's view, saying the 33-year-old's addition to the side will add to the fear factor amongst their rivals. "The two of us have been part of the national side for more than 10 years now," Anup said. "Most of the other teams have made a lot of changes to the composition of their side. Rakesh and I had a few conversations and he was very impressed with our performances last season."
"Of course, we hope to defend our title. With him in the team now, we can hope of winning every game. That's how good he is," the 32-year-old Anup added.
With the league being played twice a year now, the duo had reasons to cheer as well as worry. Both agreed that the schedule might take a toll on the fitness levels of players. "Given a choice, we'd like the league to be held once a year. Besides fitness levels, we also might lose out on the novelty factor that fans look forward to. That's why the upcoming season is make or break for the players as well as the sport. We will get a real indication of how much the sport was missed," Anup said.
QUOTE
You wondered if U Mumba had any weaknesses but their two defeats did give hope to other sides (in the last season). However, with me coming back from injury and ready to go, this team now has one less weakness and one more strength
--Rakesh Kumar, India kabaddi captain
