Anup Kumar is set to return to the court after 6 years as announced by the PKL All-Star Masters team

India’s 2016 Kabaddi World Cup winning captain Anup Kumar is all set to return to the mat after six years. Kumar retired from the Pro Kabaddi League during the 2018 season but will return for the exhibition match between PKL All Star Masters and PKL All Star Mavericks.

Lineups for the Mavericks and Masters were announced on Monday, December 23. Anup Kumar will captain the Masters. The squad also features former Indian captain Rakesh Kumar and current Bengal Warriorz star Maninder Singh.

Sukesh Hegde and Jai Bhagwan they are also present in the team’s attacking unit. The defense includes current Tamil Thalaivas captain Nitesh Kumar, former U Mumba defender Jeeva Kumar and former Patna Pirates all-rounder Sandeep Narwal.

PKL All Star Masters team: Anup Kumar (c), Sukesh Hegde, Maninder Singh, Jai Bhagwan, Vishal Bhardwaj, Saurabh Nandal, Mohit Nandal, Rakesh Kumar, Ran Singh, Nitesh Kumar, Sandeep Narwal and Jeeva Kumar.

Anup Kumar vs Ajay Thakur to entertain Pro Kabaddi fans in Melbourne

While Kumar will captain the PKL All Star Masters team, former Indian kabaddi team skipper Ajay Thakur will lead the PKL All Star Mavericks. Thakur will lead the squad which will have ex Jaipur Pink Panthers captain Deepak Hooda, record holder Pardeep Narwal, PKL 11 most expensive player Sachin Tanwar and other big names.

PKL All Stars Mavericks team: Ajay Thakur (c), Pardeep Narwal, Deepak Hooda, Sachin Tanwar, Nitin Rawal, Aditya Powar, Nitesh Kumar, Mayur Kadam, Priyank Chandel, Rakesh, Aadesh and Nitin.

The match between PKL All Star Masters and PKL All Star Mavericks will be played on December 28 at the John Cain Arena in Melbourne. The start time of the match is 14:00 IST. This will be followed by a battle between the Pro Kabaddi All Stars and the Aussie Raiders.