Pro Kabaddi League: U Mumba retain faith in stalwarts like Rakesh and Jeeva Kumar

U Mumba s Rakesh Kumar jumps over the Patna Pirates defence in Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League MatchMumbai: The 2015 Pro Kabaddi champions, U Mumba were happy to be able to retain 4 of their key players from the season 3 squad that made it to the finals of Pro Kabaddi Season 3. With the mandate of teams being able to retain only two players from their Season 3 squad prior to today's auction, U Mumba had decided to retain Captain Anup Kumar and star raider Rishank Devadiga.

The auction got off to a brilliant start for the Season 3 finalists as they were able to buy back vice captain Rakesh Kumar as well as senior defender Jeeva Kumar. Both were key to the team's fortunes last season, especially when captain Anup Kumar was away on national duty.
U Mumba filled their quota of international players by selecting three raiders from Bangaldesh: Md. Aruduzzaman Munshi (who had previously been with U Mumba in Season 1), Md. Zakir Hossain and Md. Tuhin Tarafder.

On the Indian front, the new additions included raiders Gurvinder Singh, Surendra Singh and the retained Suresu Kumar. In defence, U Mumba snapped up Sunil Kumar, from the Season 3 Patna Pirates title winning squad; and defender Manoj Dhull from Maharashtra rivals Puneri Paltan and local boy Vikas Kale from Telugu Titans. U Mumba will begin their camp in preparation for Season 4 right away.

"Our team is a balanced side of experience and youth, like our earlier team. We are also delighted in the fact that once you are a U Mumba player, your brand value goes up greatly. Our coach and captain are believers that only a team with faith in themselves can reach the very top," said Supratik Sen, CEO U Sports.