Pro Kabaddi League: Aslam Inamdar ‘ready’ to return from injury for Puneri Paltan in season 12
After missing the most of Pro Kabaddi League season 11 to injury, Aslam Inamdar is all set to make his comeback to the PKL arena in the upcoming season 12.
The all-rounder, retained by Puneri Paltan, gives his team an edge ahead of the PKL 12 player auction which set for May 31-June 1 in Mumbai.
“For a Kabaddi athlete, injury is a common issue – it’s a part of life and an important part of the game,” reflects Aslam. “I believe a player is truly recognized only when he shows his potential after an injury, how he prepares himself and makes himself fit.”
The 25-year-old suffered a meniscus tear in his knee that required surgical intervention. “I made a decision that I had to recover quickly. It has been six months now, and I have recovered properly. I am ready for Season 12,” he declares.
Aslam’s absence was keenly felt by Paltan last season as the defending champion could only manage an 8th place finish. “I was able to play seven matches, and until then, my team was at the top of the table in Season 11,” Aslam recalls. “When I was ruled out, my team’s confidence level went down, I feel, and that affected our performance.”
What truly distinguishes this all-rounder is his deep connection with the Pune-based franchise, dating back to Season 7. He rose through their Yuva Paltan youth academy, eventually leading the team to championship glory as captain.
In his PKL career, he has scored 545 points from 70 matches and picked up 38 points in seven matches in Season 11 before his unfortunate injury.
“I have had a lot of trust in Puneri Paltan – I can say it’s unbelievable for me,” he shares. “The owner talks to me about every situation. After my injury, he has treated me like family. He still says that I am his captain and will always be his captain.”
As teams prepare for the upcoming auction, Aslam expects fierce competition. “The upcoming Season 12 auction will be challenging and competitive because a lot of big names have come into the auction list. A player can go up to 2 crores, making it more competitive than ever.”