New Delhi: It’s simple to construe Mohammadreza Shadloui’s bristling confidence as conceit. He walks round with the swagger befitting a rockstar, prowls on the mat with deadpan surety, cares little for reputations, and calls himself a showman. And, he backs the bluster with performances. Over the previous few seasons, the 24-year-old Haryana Steelers all-rounder has steadily emerged because the younger and audacious face of the Professional Kabaddi League (PKL) that’s into its second decade.
Iranian gamers Mohammad Shadloui (left) and Fazal Atrachali are regulars in Professional Kabaddi League . (P)
Shadloui isn’t the lone Iranian who has PKL besotted along with his dazzling aptitude. Fazel Atrachali caught the flamboyant of kabaddi aficionados in India after his exploits in PKL over time whereas the likes of Meraj Sheykh are nonetheless remembered for his or her progressive raids.
Fazel, the captain of Bengal Warriorz, lately turned the primary defender within the historical past of PKL to attain 500 deal with factors — an affidavit to his longevity and apparent expertise. He could have firm quickly, with Shadloui often matching his unbridled ambition with indeniable potential. With a tally of 329 deal with factors together with 79 raid factors in simply 4 seasons (by the tip of Steelers’ Friday’s sport in opposition to Patna Pirates), it shouldn’t be lengthy earlier than Fazel’s 500-point document is surpassed.
“There are many who claim to be all-rounders in PKL, but I have proven that I can tackle and raid effectively. I adapt my game as per the team needs – whether it’s raiding or tackling,” Shadloui stated. “Fazel has played 10 seasons in PKL to reach 500 points. I’ve achieved 300 in just four seasons. The numbers speak for themselves.”
The Iranian affect on the quintessential Indian sport is immense. It’s of little shock that no season of PKL has gone with out an Iranian illustration. The inaugural season of the league had two gamers from Iran, and the quantity has surged to 13 this 12 months. Shadloui has, for 2 consecutive seasons, remained the costliest international purchase, crossing the ₹2cr mark in seasons 10 and 11.
India captain and Telegu Titans raider Pawan Sehrawat shared the dressing room with Fazel in Season 5 at Gujarat Giants and the 2 have remained inseparable since. “I was just a youngster then and would barely get a game, but Fazel would tell me that I will become a star someday. I didn’t believe him then, but now, having achieved whatever I have, my respect for him has grown manifold,” the 28-year-old Arjuna awardee stated.
Sehrawat and Fazel have squared off in opposition to one another in nationwide colors too, and the large distinction that the previous has famous within the Iranians is their rising raiding capability. “Shadloui is not a great raider but manages to stack up points because he is diler (fearless). In the past few years, they have some good raiders coming through,” he famous.
“Iranians are physically very fit. Their weight never goes beyond the 85-kg threshold. We have learned dietary discipline from them. Our boys have got into the habit of eating boiled chicken and grilled vegetables because of them. Iranians are super strong in tackles because of their power. Techniques like ankle hold and chest holds, which are a staple in the Iranian style, are offshoots of wrestling. Their reflexes and speed are superb too,” stated Manpreet Singh, coach of Haryana Steelers.
E Prasad Rao agrees. The grand outdated man of Indian kabaddi, fondly referred to as Kabaddi Rao, is the Technical Director of PKL and the Worldwide Kabaddi Federation and has seen the evolution of sport via 4 many years.
“If the last two Asian Games are an indicator, Iranians are super quick learners who have the potential to consistently challenge the Indian dominance,” Rao says. “That’s primarily because of their never-say-die attitude and physicality. On the contrary, our dominance is diminishing because of lack of national camps and international competitions.”
Three of the final 4 males’s kabaddi finals on the Asian Video games had been performed between India and Iran, and whereas India emerged victorious every time, the margins have solely gone down. The 37-20 scoreline in 2010 turned 27-25 in 2014. 4 years later, India’s loss to Iran despatched shockwaves in Indian kabaddi earlier than India eked out a 33-29 win within the ill-tempered remaining in Hangzhou 2023.
“The gap between the two sides has certainly reduced. We can’t afford to be complacent anymore, especially against Iran,” says Rao.
Fazel is extra modest in his evaluation. “There is still no match between India and Iran. You have thousands of players to choose from, whereas in Iran, there are no more than 700-800 amateur or professional kabaddi players. India can pick ten teams of international quality, not Iran.”
Kabaddi aside, a decade-long affiliation with Iranians has cast some lasting bonds among the many gamers. Sehrawat calls Fazel his ‘param mitra’ (greatest buddy) whereas Bengal Warriorz raider Maninder Singh shares his Sidhu Moose Wala playlist with the Iranian. Sehrawat takes his Iranian teammates out for Irani chai, Gujarat Giants’ import Hadi Oshtorak is thought to talk greater than respectable Hindi, and Bollywood star Amir Khan is a runaway favorite amongst most Iranians in PKL.
“I have always enjoyed playing in India. The amount of love and respect I have received here is unmatched. It is my second home,” stated Fazel.