The Thursday Instagram Live - part of a special series running every week until the season starts - brought fans face-to-face with two of Kabaddi\u2019s brightest stars: Naveen Kumar and Devank Dalal. What followed was equal parts respect, rivalry and raw honesty.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
For Naveen, the clash carries an added layer of sentiment - it marks his long-awaited return home. \u201cThis is emotional for me. I\u2019ve dreamt of playing for Haryana, and the fans have wanted this for years. Now that I\u2019m here, I owe it to them to give everything,\u201d said the man dubbed as Naveen Express.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"We\u2019re champions already, but defending the crown is harder than winning it once. We\u2019ve got a young, fearless group, and our only focus is to make Haryana proud again,\" he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Looking ahead to his duel with Devank, Naveen was direct, \u201cIf we stop Devank, we win. It\u2019s that simple. But I know he won\u2019t make it easy - and that\u2019s what excites me.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pressed on whether fans can expect more aggression from him this season, Naveen didn\u2019t hold back. \u201cAggression is part of who I am on the mat. When I raid, I want the defenders to feel the pressure. Against Bengal, we\u2019ll bring that same fire from the first whistle.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Across the mat, Bengal Warriorz\u2019 record signing Devank Dalal spoke with the assurance of a man who has nothing to prove - and yet, everything to achieve. \u201cLast year changed my life - 301 raid points, best raider, the PKL Final. But I don\u2019t want to stop there. Records are made to be broken, and I want to go beyond that,\u201d Devank said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On handling the weight of being his team's most expensive player till date, he explained, \u201cPeople talk about the price tag, but for me it\u2019s motivation. The franchise has put its trust in me, and I\u2019ll repay that trust raid by raid.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
And when asked about facing his senior, Naveen, Devank\u2019s tone shifted, \u201cI respect Naveen bhai a lot - he was my captain (with the Services) and my mentor. But on the mat, respect turns into rivalry. To be the best, you have to beat the best.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On handling the weight of being his team's most expensive player till date, he explained, \u201cPeople talk about the price tag, but for me it\u2019s motivation. The franchise has put its trust in me, and I\u2019ll repay that trust raid by raid.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The contest in Vizag will be more than just two teams battling - it\u2019s the story of a homegrown hero defending his legacy and a young star chasing history.<\/p>\r\n\r\n