Maninder Singh has etched his name firmly as one of the most successful and enduring players in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), being the second-most prolific raider in its history. Known for his power and ability to bulldoze through opposition defenses, Maninder has become a legend of the sport, especially with the Bengal Warriors, where he has spent most of his career.
Early Years and Debut Season of Maninder Singh
Maninder Singh was part of the Jaipur Pink Panthers from season one. During his first season, he played exceptionally well as a raider, finishing with 130 raid points in 16 matches with a staggering strike rate of 74.28%. His side finished on top of the league and went on to win the title, beating U Mumba in the finals.
Season 5-Bengal Warriors
After a three-season break, Maninder made a comeback into PKL with the Bengal Warriors in Season 5. Picked up by Bengal Warriors for Rs. 45.50 lakh, Maninder had an incredible comeback to his game. He finished the season as the fifth-best raider with 190 raid points in 21 matches at a strike rate of 51.77%. Maninder’s show helped the Warriors finish at the top of their group zone table. However, the title aspiration of the team was halted by the Patna Pirates in Qualifier 2.
Season 6 (Bengal Warriors)
Maninder continued his form into Season 6, wherein he finished the season as the fourth-best raider with a success rate of 54.78% along with 206 raid points. The Warriors went on to enjoy a great season, finishing in second place of their group zone, but eventually got knocked out by Dabang Delhi at Eliminator 2. Meanwhile, Maninder also achieved his personal milestone wherein he became the fastest player ever to reach 500 raid points in PKL history.
Season 7 (Bengal Warriors)
It was season 7 that turned out to be a defining point in Maninder’s life, since he went ahead and captained the Bengal Warriors to their first PKL title. An injury saw him miss the final, but his performance throughout the season had been exemplary, earning him 205 raid points and 10 Super 10s. The Warriors finished off as table-toppers and went on to revenge Dabang Delhi by defeating them 39-34 in the final.
Season 8 (Bengal Warriors)
The Warriors struggled as the pandemic struck, and Maninder’s incredible individual show was overlooked because the team could not make it to the playoffs for the first time in four years. Maninder scored 264 raid points in a season; he had never scored so high in his entire career, and he also finished with a success rate of 65.33% and 16 Super 10s. Despite Maninder’s incredible form, the Warriors finished ninth on the points table.
Season 9 (Bengal Warriors)
In Season 9, Maninder dominated once again, securing a fifth place on the list of most raid points with 240 points and a raid strike rate of 65.56%. He also contributed 14 Super 10s. However, despite his individual success, the Warriors finished second-last, winning only eight out of 22 matches.
Season 10 (Bengal Warriors)
In Season 10, Maninder was purchased by the Warriors again for Rs. 2.12 Cr. He became the third most expensive player at the auction. He finished as the fourth best raider with 197 raid points in 21 matches, keeping a success rate of 61.18% and contributing nine Super 10s. The Warriors had another disappointing season and finished seventh without making it to the playoffs.
Season 11 (Bengal Warriors)
Another season in season 11 was a little injury-prone again for Maninder, who scored 100 raid points in 15 matches at an impressive strike rate of 48.3%. He also had just six Super 10s. Although now known as the Bengal Warriors, they failed to make a significant impact and finished tenth on the points table.
Career/ Achievements of Maninder Singh
Maninder Singh has been the epitome of strength and steady performance. He has scored 1528 raid points in 128 matches for PKL while his raiding success percentage reads at 60.41%, which makes him one of the most reliable raiders in the game. Power raids along with scoring consistently, have made a fan favorite for the Bengal Warriors, and they very an essential cog in the structure. Throughout his years in the league despite suffering injuries, Maninder has proven to be an important player and has won two PKL titles with two different teams.
He leaves behind a legacy with 78 Super 10s and 50 Super Raids. He has been one of the most respected figures in Indian kabaddi and continues to be a dominant force on the mat.
