Big responsibility to lead UP Yoddha

Maharashtra Kabaddi team skipper Rishank Devadiga, who led the state to the national title at the start of this year after a gap of eleven years, will lead the GMR Group owned UP Yoddha franchise of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) for the first time. The new season of ProKabbadi League will start from October 7.

The experienced and successful Devadiga was announced as the captain of the 19-member squad of the UP Yoddha team on Thursday. The team consists of seven raiders including Devadiga, eight defenders and four all-rounders.

“Experience of leading Maharashtra will definitely help me. The responsibility is big and we have a new team with good depth. I am excited to lead our group. As  a captain, my objective will be to emerge champions like I did with Maharashtra team,” he told this paper on Friday.

UP Yoddha, who is fondly called ‘The Yoddha’ by their fans, had an impressive first season in 2017. The team finished third in their zone and fifth overall. The team is being coached under the guidance of former national player Jasvir Singh.

Devadiga admits pressure will be there to perform but captaincy will not affect his play.

“Last season was our first in this league, it was new experience for our franchise. Our owners and coaches have listed mistakes of last year and we want to rectify them this year. We have a balanced team and we want to play as a unit to win all the matches. Pressure is there every time we go out to play, but that is normal pressure, not of captaincy. I will concentrate on the game and how I can lead the team well,” he said.

The Mumbai based raider participated in his maiden Asian Games last month, but it didn't turn out to be a good outing for otherwise dominant India in this sport.

“Asian Games had a different format. It was good experience in my first Asian Games. My dream to play for India in a big tournament got full-filled. But I was disappointed that we could not win gold as results count at the end of the day. We will look to cut mistakes and bring back laurels next time. On a personal note, I tried to do my best in whatever chances I got,” he added.

Vinod Bisht, VP, GMR League Games was also hopeful for a better season under the new leader. “Our first season was a good experience for us and the team and the management learnt their lessons well. This year we have been very careful in choosing our players and we are confident of improving from last season. I am glad that the coach and the team has chosen Rishank as their captain and his recent stint as Maharashtra captain has only shown us his capability and how he is the apt choice for the position,” he said.