Tamil Thalaivas players during a training session in a file photo. Twitter/Tamil Thalaivas
Pro Kabaddi 2022: Undergoing seismic changes after an unforgettable Pro Kabaddi League season 8, Tamil Thalaivas will be hoping to make a bigger impact in Pro Kabaddi League season 9. Tamil Thalaivas finished a disappointing 11 on the table and won just five of their 22 games.
Tamil Thalaivas lost as many as eleven games in the last edition. Statistically, season 9 was still their best show as in the subsequent four seasons since debut, Tamil Thalaivas finished bottom.
Last season, Tamil Thalaivas’ defence came under the scanner for their shambolic show despite having a seasoned defender like Sagar Rathee among their ranks. Surjeet Singh as captain couldn’t lead by example but did see the rise of Ajinkya Pawar as their leading raider.
The overall result, however, took its toll on the Thalaivas ownership as they went for a squad overhaul, including the release of Surjeet Singh and other stars. At the last auction, Thalaivas also made a big purchase in Pawan Sehrawat (Rs 2.6 crore), Bengaluru Bulls’ best raider last season. They also roped in promising youngsters Thanushan Laxmamohan, Arif Rabbani, Vishvanath, Arpit Saroha, K Abhimanyu and Ankit.
Season-by-season results
Season 5 – Sixth position (bottom) in Zone B (Knocked out in intra-zonal round)
Season 6 – Sixth position (bottom) in Zone B (Knocked out in intra-zonal round)
Season 7 – 12th position (bottom)
Season 8 – 11th position
Tamil Thalaivas squad
Raiders
Pawan Sehrawat, Ajinkya Ashok Pawar, Himanshu, Jatin, Himanshu
Defenders
Sagar, Sahil, M Abishek, Mohit, Himanshu, Ashish, Md Arif Rabbani (Bangladesh), Arpit Saroha, Ankit
All-rounders
Thanushan Laxmamohan (Sri Lanka), Visvanath V, K Abhimanyu
Schedule
8 October Tamil Thalaivas vs Gujarat Giants