PKL 12: Jasveer Singh resigns as UP Yoddhas head coach after team's poor show

UP Yoddhas sit at the 10th spot on the PKL 12 table.

UP Yoddhas suffered a 42–29 defeat against the Jaipur Pink Panthers. With this loss, it’s almost certain that they will not qualify for the knockouts of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 (PKL 12).

However, what followed came as an even bigger shock for UP Yoddhas fans: the team’s head coach, Jasveer Singh, resigned from his position with still one match remaining in the season.

Jasveer has been associated with the franchise since Season 6 and has served as head coach for seven consecutive seasons, the longest tenure after Randhir Singh Sehrawat, who served as the head coach of Bengaluru Bulls for 11 seasons.

Poor Performance of the Yoddhas in season 12

The main reason that can be speculated behind this development is UP Yoddhas’ highly disappointing season. They were considered one of the most balanced sides in the league after the auctions, with their core players retained and some strong additions made to the squad.

The team even started the season well with two consecutive wins, but after that, they failed to maintain consistency. So far, in 17 games, they have managed to win only six and currently sit 10th on the points table.

This performance is especially disappointing considering that the same team reached the semifinals last season and looked far more promising than they have this year.

Jasveer Singh’s tenure as head coach

UP Yoddhas made their Pro Kabaddi League debut in Season 5 under head coach J. Udaya Kumar. They managed to reach the eliminators that year but fell short of progressing further. In the following season, Jasveer Singh was appointed as the new head coach, and since then, he has been at the helm, guiding the Yoddhas for seven consecutive seasons.

During his tenure, the team qualified for the playoffs in five out of seven seasons but never managed to reach the finals. Under Jasveer’s leadership, the Yoddhas recorded 70 wins in 158 matches. One of the standout aspects of his coaching was his emphasis on team unity; he often brought players together even during the off-season to participate in local tournaments.

However, the continued lack of silverware despite years of stability and backing is likely the key reason behind his resignation, a reality Jasveer himself was well aware of.

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