Tamil Thalaivas gave their best-ever show in the Pro Kabaddi League last year. The team from the south reached until the semifinal. With a new-found confidence after such a show, the team aim to replicate a similar performance in PKL 2023.
Coach Ashan Kumar has shown trust in majority of the players who played a vital role last year. Ajinkya Pawar, Narender, Sagar Rathee and M Abhishek will all be in action for the team yet again. InsideSport takes a look at the team’s starting seven for their opening match in PKL 2023. Tamil Thalaivas take on Dabang Delhi on 3rd December.
PKL 2023- Tamil Thalaivas starting seven vs Dabang Delhi
Ajinkya Pawar
Experienced Ajinkya Pawar stepped up for the team when his performance was much needed following Pawan Sehrawat’s injury last season.
He scored 96 raid points and 56 tackle points contributing in both offence and defence last year. His experience will once again be much needed as the team looks to better last year’s semifinal finish in PKL 2023.
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Narender
In his debut season, Narender emerged as a star for the Tamil Thalaivas. He was asked to fill in the shoes of the legend Pawan Sehrawat and he did in impressively.
The youngster scored 195 raid points and finished fourth overall in the tally. The team has trusted in him and he will be the main raider for the side in PKL 2023.
Himanshu Singh
Himanshu Singh is expected to feature as the third raider in the side atleast in the first match. He played 18 matches last season and scored 45 raid points.
He was bought back by the Thalaivas at the auction this year. If he steps up his peformance, it will augur well for the side in the 10th edition of the league.
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Sagar Rathee
Sagar Rathee has been a constant presence in defence for Tamil Thalaivas over the last three seasons.
Last year he was the team’c stand-in captain and scored 53 tackle points from 16 matches. However he suffered a knee injury and missed few games. He will hope to remain injury-free and lead the team’s defence in the upcoming season.
Sahil Gulia
Sahil Gulia emerged as the team’s leading defender in the last edition. The left corner defender impressed with 57 tackle points in 23 matches.
His performances were rewarded with the retaining ahead of PKL 2023. He will hope to continue his form for the side as much is expected of him in the defence.
Mohit
Mohit is the team’s left cover defender. He also had a good season last year by picking up 34 tackle points.
M Abishek
Right cover defender M Abishek has been part of the team since 2019. However it was only last year that he was given the opportunity to feature in the starting seven in all the matches.
He did a good job with 40 tackle points from 23 matches. Abhishek is yet again expected to be the team’s key defender. He is likely to feature in all the matches for the side.
