U Mumba Target Second PKL Title with Fresh Leadership

U Mumba, PKL Season 2 champions, aim for glory in Season 12 starting August 29 under new coach Anil Chaprana. Retaining key players like captain Sunil Kumar (390 tackle points) and signing record Category D buy Aanil Mohan (₹78 lakh), they face challenges after losing star raider Manjeet and carrying an inexperienced squad.

When the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 begins on August 29, former champions U Mumba will target their second title under new head coach Anil Chaprana. Last season, they ended a three-year playoff drought with 12 wins in 22 matches before losing to Patna Pirates in Eliminator 2. Chaprana, who replaced Gholamreza Mazandarani, was part of the coaching setup that engineered their Season 11 resurgence.

U Mumba have retained a strong defensive core, including captain Sunil Kumar, fifth all-time in PKL tackle points with 390, alongside key players like Ajit Chouhan, Satish Kannan, Deepak Kundu, Lokesh Ghosliya, Sunny, Mukilan Shanmugam, Amir Mohammad Zafardanesh, and Rohit. They also used their FBM card to bring back Parvesh Bhainswal, who contributed 38 tackle points last season. The marquee signing is all-rounder Aanil Mohan, acquired for ₹78 lakh, the most expensive Category D player in PKL history.

However, the loss of star raider Manjeet Dahiya to Jaipur Pink Panthers leaves Ajit Chouhan, who scored 185 raid points on debut, as the primary attacking threat. While promising youngsters like Aanil Mohan and Lokesh Ghosliya add excitement, U Mumba’s overall inexperience and reliance on a youthful squad remain major challenges as they push for a title run.