Tamil Thalaivas recently announced the appointment of Udaya Kumar as the chief coach and Dharmaraj Cheralathan as the strategy coach for the upcoming season 11 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL 11).
For the first time in PKL history, a team has chosen to proceed without a traditional head coach and assistant coach to enhance and guide the team collaboratively.
Kumar brings a wealth of experience to Tamil Thalaivas. Known for his exceptional skills in player development, Kumar has an impressive track record as the coach of the Indian kabaddi team, leading them to gold medal victories in the Asian Games in 2002, 2006, and 2014.
His responsibilities with the team will include year-round player development and enhancing the overall skill set of the team. Kumar’s expertise is expected to play a crucial role in nurturing young talent and strengthening the squad further.
“With a meticulously restructured team, fortified defensive capabilities, and a precise offensive strategy, we are setting our sights on the Season 11 Championship. By implementing a cohesive team dynamic, we aim to secure a remarkable victory. Rather than focusing on established superstars, we are committed to providing opportunities to new, young, and talented players,” said Udaya on the appointment.
Disappointment in PKL 10 for Tamil Thalaivas
During the 10th season of PKL, the Tamil Thalaivas won only 9 out of 22 matches and faced defeat in 10 matches. The team finished in 9th place in the points table and did not qualify for the playoffs. Perhaps this is why Ashan Kumar was removed and J. Uday Kumar was reappointed as the coach.
As for Dharmaraj Cheralathan, he will be seen as a strategy coach in PKL for the first time. Cheralathan has experience playing for various teams in PKL. He played as a player for the first 9 seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League. Interestingly, Cheralathan has never played for the Tamil Thalaivas in his PKL career, but now he has become their coach. His experience playing for different teams can be very beneficial for the team.
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