Anup Kumar vividly recalls the time when not many people knew who he was despite having represented India on multiple occasions and being an Arjuna awardee.


Patna Pirates- Rakesh Kumar extreme left, Telugu Titans- Rahul Chaudhury, Bengal Warriors- Dinesh Kumar, Puneri Paltan-s Vazir Singh, Jaipur Pink Panthers- Navneet Gautam, Dabang Delhi-s Jasmer Singh, U Mumba-s Jeeva Kumar and Bengaluru Bulls- Manjeet Chillar with the new Pro Kabaddi League trophy yesterday. Pic/Atul Kamble  

"Before the Pro Kabaddi League PKL, no one knew me. I-ve represented India many times, and apart from relatives and friends, no one knew that I played kabaddi for a living. But now even kids recognise us. We-re like cricketers now," says Anup, who is all set to lead city-based franchise, U Mumba, in Season 2 of the PKL that begins at the National Sports Club of India-s Sardar Vallabhai Patel Stadium from tomorrow.