Focus is on team unity, says Pawan Sehrawat ahead of PKL Season 11

Telugu Titans skipper Pawan Sehrawat aims to turn team’s tide in Pro Kabaddi League Season 11, starting from Friday at Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad.

Hyderabad: As the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 11 kicks off on Friday, all eyes will be on Telugu Titans’ season opener against Bengaluru Bulls at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium. Leading the Titans once again is talisman Pawan Sehrawat, who was bought back by the franchise in the auction for a whopping Rs 1.725 crore. Despite being one of the league’s most lethal raiders, Pawan’s team languished at the bottom of the table last season.

Determined to change the narrative this year, Pawan emphasised the importance of team unity. “We’ve been training for the last 45-50 days, and our coach has a lot of confidence in the team. Unity and camaraderie have been our primary focus,” he said.

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The Titans have had an intensive training camp in Panchkula, Haryana, and recently arrived in Hyderabad to acclimate before the season opener. The team has put a renewed emphasis on balancing both offence and defence, with Pawan and the coaching staff working to address the gaps that plagued them last season.

Speaking about changes in their approach, Pawan credited their new coach Krishan Kumar Hooda for bringing a fresh perspective. “He’s been like a father figure to me, treating me like family, which is very heartwarming. His insights on how we help each other, especially when a player is struggling, have built a strong bond among us.”

Reflecting on last season, Pawan acknowledged that a lack of team cohesion had a significant impact on their performance. “We struggled to play as a cohesive unit, which affected our results. This year, we’ve worked hard to build strong bonds, and that sense of unity will be a key factor for us moving forward in the league.”

‘Goal is to win the title’

Dronacharya awardee Krishan Kumar Hooda stressed the importance of discipline, fitness and unity in transforming the Titans into a title contender.

Having previously revitalised Dabang Delhi K.C, taking them from a bottom-placed finish in Season Five to a playoff contender in his first year, and eventually leading them to a championship trophy, Hooda sees parallels with his new challenge at the Titans.

“The title win with Delhi was the result of hard work, and I’m bringing the same approach here,” he said. With a revamped squad, Hooda’s target is clear: “Our goal is to win the title, and we are preparing for it.”

Team Analysis:

Having failed to make an impact over the course of the last few seasons, Telugu Titans will look for a fresh approach in a revitalised and confident manner in Season 11. They finished at the bottom of the league standings in the last three seasons and will be eager to produce a more accomplished display in the upcoming campaign.

Strengths: The team has made strategic investments in versatile all-rounders who can excel in both attack and defence. Pawan, the third-highest raid points scorer in PKL history with 1,189 points, will lead the charge on the mat. The former PKL MVP is equally effective in defence, with 65 tackle points to his name.

He is joined by fellow all-rounder Vijay Malik, who brings 409 raid points and 81 tackle points. The addition of one of the league’s top defenders, Krishan, acquired for Rs 70 lakhs, further strengthens the Titans’ prospects this season.

Weaknesses: The Titans may face challenges due to the lack of a top-class support raider. While Pawan will lead the attack, he will need offensive assistance, especially when he requires revival from teammates—an issue that plagued the team last season.

Prafull Zaware and Omkar Patil struggled in Season 10, contributing just 43 and 19 raid points, respectively. Both players, along with Manjeet, who has 125 career raid points, will need to significantly improve their performances. For the Titans to succeed in Season 11, these players must step up as reliable support raiders and alleviate the burden on Pawan.