The eighth season of Pro Kabaddi 2021 will kickstart from December 22 as 12 teams will look to go all the way in the tournament. All the teams will look to bring their best to the table and deliver the goods collectively as a unit.

Previous season runners-up Dabang Delhi veteran player Ajay Thakur has rated Naveen Kumar as currently one of the best raiders in India. Kumar was at his best in the previous season of Pro Kabaddi as he had registered 251 successful raids and had played a key role in taking the team to the final of the tournament.

Praising the youngster, the veteran raider said while talking to Sportskeeda: “Naveen Kumar is currently one of the best raiders in India and he adds strength to the squad. Our aim will be to support him properly.”

On the other hand, Ajay Thakur is one of the most successful raiders in Pro Kabaddi as he has scored a total of 640 raids in seven seasons of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Thakur also recalled an incident when he was beaten at home when he didn’t tell his parents about his participation in a tournament. However, when Thakur showed his trophies to his parents, they were proud of him.

“Once I went to play a kabaddi tournament far from my house,” recalled Ajay Thakur. “My parents did not know where I was. My mother fell ill.”

“When I came back after a few days, my parents beat me, but when I showed them my trophies, they were delighted,” said Ajay Thakur.

Meanwhile, Thakur has all the experience under his belt and Naveen Kumar will look to keep learning from the veteran. Dabang Delhi will begin its Pro Kabaddi 2021 campaign against Puneri Paltan on 23rd December at 8:30 PM IST.