Gujarat Giants release head & assistant coaches ahead of PKL 13
Gujarat Giants finished 11th last season.
Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) franchise Gujarat Giants have parted ways with head coach Jaivir Sharma and assistant coach Varinder Singh Sandhu ahead of the upcoming season, the franchise confirmed on Tuesday, February 17.
The move comes as the team looks to reset and rebuild after an underwhelming season, with management opting for a fresh direction on the sideline. The Giants struggled to find consistency in recent editions of the league, and PKL 12 proved to be another challenging chapter.
The team failed to deliver sustained performances across the season, with issues in both raiding efficiency and defensive coordination. As a result, the franchise has now chosen to make changes behind the scenes in an effort to return stronger next season.
The Gujarat Giants had a horrific end to PKL Season 12, finishing 11th in the standings with 12 points and a score difference of -73. They registered six wins and 12 losses from 18 encounters in the previous season. Following a poor run in the previous season, the franchise decided to revamp their coaching staff ahead of Season 13.
With a new season on the horizon, the Giants are expected to appoint a new head coach soon to lead the squad into the auction and preseason phase.
The PKL 13 auction will be crucial for Gujarat as they look to strengthen key areas, particularly in defence and support raiding options. The franchise is likely to reassess its core group and make strategic additions to build a more complete unit.
When was the last time the Gujarat Giants qualified for the PKL Playoffs?
The Gujarat-based franchise last qualified for the PKL playoffs during Season 10 after finishing fourth in the standings with 70 points and a score difference of 32 from 22 matches.
They bagged 13 wins and nine losses in the group stage. The Giants were knocked out of the tournament after losing 42-25 to Haryana Steelers in Eliminator 1.
Gujarat Giants’ best-ever finish in the tournament came during Season 5, where they finished as the runner-up, losing to Patna Pirates in the final. In the very next season, they were the runner-up once again, having lost to the Bengaluru Bulls 38-33 in a closely fought encounter.
Where did Gujarat Giants finish on the points table last season?
Gujarat Giants finished 11th last season.
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Farzan is a journalist at Khel Now covering Indian Olympic sports and kabaddi. With five years of experience working with major sports organizations like Chennaiyin FC, Dabang Delhi K.C., Rajasthan Royals, and Yuva Kabaddi Series, he brings diverse expertise. Farzan has covered two Olympics, one Commonwealth Games, and one Asian Games, making his knowledge of Indian sports broad and versatile.