Pro Kabaddi: Ankush Rathee named as Best defender of PKL9; breaks record for most points in a season
Ankush Rathee the young blood from Jaipur Pink Panthers has won the award for the best defender of the PKL9 and there are very few people would contest this decision.
From the very beginning of the tournament, Ankush looked like a promising player. Playing in his first season, he had an authoritative aura that only players like Fazal and Shadloui possess in Pro kabaddi.
Hence it was sure that Ankush was going to go big in this tournament. But given the steep competition in the Pro Kabaddi nobody would have bet on him becoming the best defender of PKL9.
Ankush however defied everyone’s decision to win the award for the best defender. He beat the likes of several great defenders within his own team.
Ankush Rathee wins best defender of PKL9 award
His captain Sunil Kumar, right corner Sahul Kumar, and the final’s opposition captain Fazel Atrachali were all bright contestant for the same award. Yet, Ankush Rathee was the one who emerged as the best of them all.
Ankush showcased some great skills while acting as a corner. It didn’t matter if he was placed at the left corner or the right corner, he ensured to present result.
His main, starting position, was left corner where he hunted down most of right raiders. Even in the final he made two crucial tackles, in the second half. one of them was to initiate a super tackle to save a certain all out.
Not only that, Ankush also emerged as a handy raider in the final and was able to pick up a bonus while raiding. In a match where Jaipur Pink Panthers won by just four points, every point matters. And Ankush’s bonus is a real bonus for his team in the grand scheme of things.
Ankush Rathee Stats in PKL 9
| Season | Match | Tackle points | High Fives | Super tackles |
| 9 | 24 | 89 | 9 | 5 |
Ankush Rathee breaks records for most tackle points in one season
Ankush Rathee also broke the record of most tackle points in a season by a debutant. He scored a total of 89 points, to break the record of Mohammadreza Chiyaneh Shadloui of Patna Pirates of 87 points last season.
With these points he was able to get his nose ahead of the Iranian defender who even this season was able to accumulate 84 points.
Hence, Ankush indeed is the best defender of PKL9.
