Raid machine Pawan Sehrawat to lead Tamil Thalaivas

Tamil Thalaivas appointed Pawan Sehrawat as captain and Arjun Deshwal as vice-captain for PKL Season 12. The team also unveiled their new blue-and-gold kit, aiming for championship glory starting with their opening match against Telugu Titans on August 29.

HYDERABAD: Tamil Thalaivas announced Pawan Sehrawat as the Captain and Arjun Deshwal as the Vice-Captain for Season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). The announcement marks the beginning of a new chapter for the team as it sets its sights on glory.

Widely celebrated as the High Flyer of PKL, Pawan Sehrawat is one of the most dynamic players in the league’s history. He became the most expensive player in PKL when Tamil Thalaivas signed him for Rs 2.26 crores in Season 9. Representing the Reserve Bank of India, Pawan has also brought pride to the nation, winning the gold medal at the 2019 South Asian Games and the 2023 Asian Kabaddi Championship.

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Joining him in leadership is Arjun Deshwal, the Raid Machine of PKL, who takes on the role of Vice-Captain. Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Arjun is a decorated raider and currently serves as a DSP in the state police force. His stellar career includes winning the gold medal with the Indian national team at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Alongside the leadership announcement, Tamil Thalaivas also unveiled their primary kit for Season 12. Featuring an all-blue design with striking gold accents, the kit represents the team’s renewed energy and ambition. The gold signifies the ultimate target for the season, bringing home the biggest prize in kabaddi.

Speaking about the leadership duo, Head Coach Sanjeev Balyan said Pawan was a proven leader and one of the most feared players in the league. “His ability to handle pressure, inspire his teammates, and deliver in crucial moments makes him the ideal captain to lead Tamil Thalaivas this season,” he said.

On vice-captain Arjun Deshwal, Sanjeev said that he had the privilege of working with Arjun when he captained Jaipur Pink Panthers, and he knew firsthand the dedication, discipline, and composure he brings to the game. “He is a natural leader on and off the mat, and together with Pawan, they form a formidable leadership core,” he said.

Assistant Coach Suresh Kumar said they had selected big names for the captaincy this year, and they knew they were amazing raiders — with Pawan also being a great all-rounder. This year, we have a strong line-up, and I’m confident they will lead the way for the team.”

CEO Shushen Vashishth said that with Pawan’s unmatched experience and Arjun’s explosive talent, they believed this leadership duo will inspire the team to deliver their best on the mat. “The new kit reflects our hunger, unity, and the dream of lifting the trophy this season,’ he said.

Tamil Thalaivas is also delighted to announce our association with ARS Steels, Finkeda, and the upcoming film Balti, starring Shane Nigam and Shanthnu Bhagyaraj, as their valued partners for the season.

Finkeda is a leading fintech company dedicated to delivering digital banking and financial solutions, with a strong focus on underserved regions of India. Their offerings include domestic money transfers, Aadhaar-enabled services (AePS), bill payments, and travel bookings, facilitated through a robust network of local merchants. By bridging the gap between traditional banking and rural communities, Finkeda is making financial services more accessible, reliable, and convenient.

ARS Steels is one of India’s prominent integrated steel plants, based in Gummidipoondi, Tamil Nadu. Renowned for producing high-quality TMT bars and mild steel billets, the company holds ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications. With a strong dealer network across South India, particularly in Tamil Nadu, ARS Steels is equally recognised for its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Tamil Thalaivas will debut their new leadership and kit in the opening match, 29th August, 2025 against Telugu Titans as they begin their quest for championship success.