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

The squads for the Mavericks and Masters were released 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 are also present in the team’s raiding unit. The defense features current Tamil Thalaivas captain Nitesh Kumar along with former U Mumba defender Jeeva Kumar and former Patna Pirates all-rounder Sandeep Narwal.

PKL All Star Masters squad: 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 lovers in Melbourne

While Kumar will captain the PKL All Star Masters Squad, former Indian kabaddi team skipper Ajay Thakur will lead the PKL All Star Mavericks. Thakur will lead a squad featuring former Jaipur Pink Panthers captain Deepak Hooda, the Record Breaker Pardeep Narwal, PKL 11’s most expensive player Sachin Tanwar and other big names.

PKL All Stars Mavericks squad: 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 for the match is 2pm IST. It will be followed by a battle between Pro Kabaddi All Stars and Aussie Raiders.