PKL: Ashan Kumar extends his contract with Tamil Thalaivas

Published at :February 4, 2023 at 6:38 PM

Modified at :February 4, 2023 at 6:38 PM

The coach came in mid PKL 9 and changed the fortune of the team.

Ashan Kumar has extended his contract with the PKL franchise Tamil Thalaivas till 2025. Tamil Thalaivas' social media handle announced the contract extension on Friday (03 February). Ashan Kumar was instrumental in Tamil Thalaivas qualifying for the playoffs for the first time and finishing the Pro Kabaddi League season 9 as the semifinalists.

Udhay Kumar was in charge of the southern franchise in the initial phase of season 9 but due to personal reasons couldn't continue further. The management then roped in the former national team coach turning the tables upside down. Tamil Thalaivas won one and lost five games under Udhay Kumar and once Ashan Kumar took over Tamil Thalaivas went on a five-match unbeaten streak the longest for the franchise in the history of the PKL.

The Dronacharya and Arjuna awardee has vast experience in coaching both the PKL and the Indian National Kabaddi teams. He was the coach of Puneri Paltan in season 6 and had a few stints with Iran and Sri Lankan Kabaddi national teams. This is the first time that the management of Tamil Thalaivas is giving its coach a longer run (more than two years offer).

Ashan Kumar's next focus is set to be on the Senior Kabaddi Championships, which will be held in March. All the franchise will be sending in their scouting team to the Nationals and the Khelo India Youth Games held in Madhya Pradesh. Narendra Kandola was scouted by Tamil Thalaivas after getting impressed by his performance at the KIYG held in Haryana, in 2022.

Other transfer news in PKL:

Upendra Malik (Sanjeev Baliyan’s assistant in PKL season 9) will now head to UP Yodhhas and continue as the assistant coach). However, there is no official announcement from UP Yoddhas management on whether Jeeva Kumar will continue as the assistant coach for the upcoming season.

It will be keen to see whether Ashan Kumar retains back the star player Pawan Sehrawat after being brought in for 2.27 crores.