The Krantijyot Mahila Pratishthan Yuva Kabaddi Series (Men’s) Inter District Youth League 2024 witnessed a spectacular display of defensive prowess, with players leaving their mark on the mat and cementing their status as the guardians of their teams' success. Five stalwarts emerged among the many talented defenders, showcasing exceptional skill, determination, and strategic brilliance. From thwarting raiders with precision tackles to orchestrating crucial defensive plays, these defenders commanded respect and admiration throughout the season. Let us look at the top five defenders of the edition, dissecting their performances and acknowledging their invaluable contributions to their respective teams' journeys.
- Dadaso Pujari - He was on fire this season as he was the Best Defender and has been exceptional as a Right Corner and was the backbone of the Kolhapur District in helping them be the favorites in the finals which they missed by a whisker. He scored 61 tackle points and has 3.75 successful tackles per match with a comfortable lead over the second-best defender. He also leads the charts of the High 5 as he has seven to his name, which shows his importance to the team.
- Rupesh Salunkhe - Rupesh has been rock solid for Mumbai Shahar in their defense. He was excellent on the mat and was the defender with the second-most tackle points. He was termed as the Super Tackle Specialist due to his authoritative and effective play during the Super Tackles. He played a total of 16 games and managed to get 55 tackle points in 99 attempts. This made him a key player and a go-to man for his team. He played in the left corner making the Raiders extremely cautious when they ventured to that side of the mat.
- Sanket Khalate - He was key to Ahmednagar through his defensive exploits and helped them defend their title successfully. He is the third-highest defender as he missed the second spot with just a single point as he scored 54 tackle points from 17 matches with 86 attempts. He covered the Right Corner which made it worse for the opponent team. He has got five High-5s and a Super Tackle. He was able to help his side cross the line on multiple occasions which made him an important player for his team.
- Ganesh Gite - The talented lad was exceptional for Nashik. He has just played 17 matches and has scored 50 tackle points in 92 tackles which is amazing for an all-rounder who maximised his scoring through defence. He scored a Super Raid and had five High-5s while he also scored 20 raid points. He also had an average of 4.11 points per match and himself an undisputed starter for his side. He was a nightmare for their opponents through their defense and saved his side multiple times.
- Navaj Desai - The Right Corner who represented Sangli sneaked his name into the list of the top five best defenders for this season. He scored 45 points in 120 tackles making him an effective defender. He managed to score a Super Raid and 2 High 5’s. He was a crucial contributor and helped Sangli’s defensive unit thrive with his performance and guidance.
