PKL 13: UP Yoddhas appoint Upendra Malik as new head coach for upcoming season

Upendra was earlier the assistant coach of UP Yoddhas.

The Pro Kabaddi League 12 (PKL 12) has ended, and the teams that didn’t have a successful season are now reassessing their management and planning for the next edition. UP Yoddhas are one such team.

They had a disappointing campaign despite retaining most of their core players and adding experienced names in the auction. Their performance on the mat was not good at all. They finished 9th in the points table, missing out on qualifying for the top 8.

Amid a difficult season, another major development happened. After their second-last match, head coach Jasveer Singh announced during the post-match press conference that he would be stepping down from his role.

Although he coached the team in their final game as well, he made it clear that it would be his last appearance as the head coach of UP Yoddhas.

Upendra Malik promoted as head coach

Jasveer Singh had served as the head coach of UP Yoddhas since Season 6. He remained with the team consistently, and even outside the league, he was known for training and guiding players during the off-season camps.

After seven years of dedicated service, he finally said goodbye to the franchise. One of the major reasons behind his departure could be the team’s repeated inability to lift the trophy.

Although UP Yoddhas were a consistent side and reached the playoffs five times under his leadership, they failed to make it to the final even once.

A few days ago, Patna Pirates announced through their social media that Jasveer has joined them as the head coach for PKL 13, marking a new chapter in his coaching journey.

Meanwhile, Yoddhas have promoted their assistant coach, Upendra Malik, to the position of head coach. He has been with the team since Season 10 and worked under Jasveer for three years. Now, he will be seen in a new role, taking charge and leading the team into the next season.

Expectations from the new head coach

Yoddhas’ management planning is clear; even though their season has been disappointing, they don’t want many changes in the team.

That’s why they have chosen a coach who is already familiar with the squad, which will eventually help them while selecting the team for the next season, whether they want to retain most of their core or make some changes.

Nonetheless, the fans expect some bold decisions from the new head coach, and they hope the team will finally end their title drought under his guidance.

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