Exclusive: We will approach every match of PKL 10 as final: Shrikant Jadhav

The veteran raider mentioned that the team is undergoing a distinct preparation for the upcoming season.

During the auction for the 10th edition of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), Bengal Warriors made several player selections. They surprised many by initially releasing their captain, Maninder Singh, and raider Shrikant Jadhav before the auction. However, during the auction, both players were successfully acquired using the FBM card, with a bid of Rs 35.25 lakh for Shrikant Jadhav. He is now set to don the Bengal Warriors jersey once again, with high expectations from the team. In an exclusive conversation with Khel Now, Shrikant Jadhav shared his thoughts on the upcoming season.

No pressure despite being re-selected

Despite being re-selected by Bengal Warriors, Shrikant Jadhav feels no pressure. He emphasizes that there is no obligation on him due to the team’s decision, expressing his happiness at the opportunity to play for the same team again. He said, “There is no pressure on me because the team has selected me again; I just have to play Kabaddi. I am delighted to be playing for the same team again and look forward to playing with Maninder once more.”

Strong bond with Maninder Singh

Both captain Maninder Singh and Srikant Jadhav were retained by Bengal Warriors using FBM cards. Shrikant Jadhav is thrilled to play another season alongside a player of Maninder Singh’s caliber. He appreciates Maninder’s experience, acknowledging the bond they share. Shrikant said, “It feels great to play with Maninder Singh. He has a wealth of experience, having played in many tournaments. He shares his experiences with all of us, taking care of the players. Depending on our strengths, he gives us opportunities to play in both left and right positions. There is a strong bond between us.”

Learning from mistakes of the past season

Acknowledging the team’s subpar performance in the 9th season, where they failed to qualify for the playoffs, Shrikant Jadhav is optimistic about avoiding the same pitfalls in the upcoming season. The veteran raider stated, “Last season, we started well but couldn’t maintain our performance in the middle. This time, with many talented players in the team, we aim to rectify past mistakes and are actively working towards improvement.”

Team preparations for the upcoming season

Bengal Warriors are leaving no stone unturned in their preparations for the 10th season of PKL. Shrikant Jadhav provided insights into the team’s preparations, highlighting the rigorous fitness sessions in the morning and intense practice sessions in the evening. He mentioned that each practice match is approached like a final, emphasizing the team’s goal to win every match.

No undue pressure on the team

According to Shrikant Jadhav, the team is adopting a one-match-at-a-time approach, focusing on taking each game as a final. He emphasized that there is no external pressure from the management and that every player is motivated to win. Shrikant said, “There is no pressure on us because the management isn’t imposing any. Every player plays to win, and no one wants to lose. Our focus is on team performance, avoiding dependence on any one player. Everyone aims to become champions, and we approach every match as a final.”

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