Tamil Thalaivas are yet to taste success in the Pro Kabaddi League 2023. Having reached the play-offs for the first-ever time in the league last season, much is expected from the team coached by Ashan Kumar in the upcoming season. InsideSport analyses the squad competely ahead of the 10th edition of the league.
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Tamil Thalaivas’ performance so far in PKL
Tamil Thalaivas made the debut in the fifth edition of the league. In their first three editions, the team consistently finished at the bottom of the points table. In 2021, the team managed to better that show by finishing at the penultimate spot on the table.
In the last season too, Tamil Thalaivas started on a disappointing note with just one win from six games. Coach Udhayakumar soon resigned and Asian Kumar was drafted in as the coach following that. Under Asian Kumar the team made a terrific turnaround by reaching the playoffs and went on to lose in the semifinal.
Asian Kumar’s contract has been extended till 2025. The team now look to better that show from the previous edition. InsideSport looks at the Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat of the team in the upcoming season.
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Strength
Tamil Thalaivas retained their best raiding duo of Ajinkya Pawar and Narender for this season. Youngster Narender was a revelation last year. In his debut season, he had a big role of filling the shoes of Pawan Sehrawat. He did the role to complete perfection.
He picked up 243 raid points and was the fourth highest scorer in raids in the league. Ajinkya Pawar meanwhile scored 130 points. Both the players will yet again be leading the attack. They have also bought promising Satish Kanna, M Lakshnana and K Selvamani at the auction this year.
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Weakness
The weakness of the side can be the inexperience in the attack. Only Ajinkya Pawar is the experienced one. Narender is just one season old and all the other raiders will be making their debut in the season.
This relative inexperience might be a problem for the team in the upcoming season. Another drawback is the dearth of all-rounders. Ritik is the only all-rounder in the squad.
Opportunities
The upcoming season provides an opportunity for emerging talents to make a mark in the league. Narender impressed in his maiden season. This season, he can go all the way in establishing himself as one among the best raiders.
Tamil Thalaivas also picked an exciting Iranian defender Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi. He is expected to be a main feature in the side. The league has had many Iranian defenders like Fazel Atrachali and Mohammadreza Chiyaneh making a name for himself. Kaboudrahangi has an opportunity to showcase his talent and join the ranks of his compatriots.
Threats
A lot is depended on the youngsters to fire. Ashan Kumar has shown faith in them to perform. In a long season, he has to come up with strategies to make the team maintain consistency and winning momentum throughout.
It looks like the team might have over-dependence on players like Ajinkya Pawar and Narender in offence. In case of any poor form or injuries to one among them, then it will pose a big threat to the side.
Tamil Thalaivas – Squad
Raiders – Ajinkya Pawar, Himanshu Singh, Selvamani K, Masanamuthu Lakshnanan, Satish Kannan, Jatin
Defender – Sagar, Himanshu, M Abhishek, Sahil Gulia, Mohit, Aashish, Amirhossein Bastami, Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi
All-Rounder – Ritik
