Exclusive- Manpreet Singh aims to win PKL title with Gujarat Giants

Winning the title is the main objective of the team according to the coach.

The action in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 8 is picking up pace and the race to the playoffs is becoming intense. The matches are very competitive due to the need for playoffs qualification, which is making the teams deliver incredible performances. The Gujarat Giants, coached by Manpreet Singh, are one of the contenders to qualify for the playoffs.

The team are currently sitting in seventh place, after winning seven from 18 fixtures. They will need to win their remaining matches in order to secure qualification into the playoffs.

Manpreet Singh had an exclusive conversation with Khel Now, where he indicated that the team are serious about qualifying for the playoffs and revealed what will be the strategy in the forthcoming matches. According to him, each outfit has ups and downs in the division and this is the reason the team are not giving up. They expect to qualify for the playoffs when the league stage is over. 

He stated, “Our performance in the last few matches was good. Every team goes through highs and lows. We will win some matches and lose some because it is a long tournament and it is tough to deliver consistent performances. Injuries also pose an obstacle and they have been causing issues to our team too. As soon as we got the experienced players back in the squad, our performances started to become better.”

Being low in table did not affect morale

While the Gujarat Giants are struggling in the middle of the league table, it does not affect Manpreet Singh. He clarified that his sole aim is to win the title at the end of the season and the league table does not matter too much in the meantime. 

He opined, “Teams worry about the playoffs, if they come here only to participate. Those who come to lift the trophy, position in the league table does not affect them. Gujarat Giants do not focus too much on the points table. Whether the team is at the bottom or at the top, our objective is simple, which is to win the PKL title. We see the trophy, not the points table.”

The coach expressed that even if his team loses all of the fixtures, he does not get pressured and his players stay “charged-up” all the time. He added, “There is no pressure on any of the players from our squad. Pressure is on the couch because he is answerable to the media and the management. However, I am the type of coach who does not take the pressure and that is why the word ‘pressure’ does not exist in our dictionary.”

The exciting games in ongoing season

Fans have seen a lot of exciting games in the ongoing season of the PKL. Most of the matches are ending in ties and every team looks strong. The coach explained the reason for the same.

Manpreet Singh stated, “No team this year is dependent on one player. If Pawan (Sherawat) or Naveen (Kumar) do not perform, their teams have backup options. All 12 teams depend on the full strength of their squads. Every team is strong and can beat each other on any given day. I would like to give the credit to each team’s management for this, as they created very balanced rosters.”

Reason behind exceptional performances by Ajay & Pradeep Kumar

Gujarat Giants gave the opportunity to handle the raiding department to Rakesh Narwal and Rakesh Sungroya at the start of the season, but they are employing Ajay and Pradeep in those roles now. Both of them are performing well in the season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p52GYSnIyU

In this regard, Manpreet Singh said, “I knew beforehand that these players are good and will impress everyone on the mat, if given the opportunity. Ajay was with us in Season 6, but he only got to play two matches back then. He was not part of the tournament in Season 7, but now he is again part of our team. Ajay is a fantastic player and gives his 100% every time he gets an opportunity.”

The defence is the strongest asset of the Gujarat Giants. The team has many exceptional defenders in Parvesh Bhainswal, Sunil Kumar, and Ravinder Pahal. The coach gave his opinion on these three defenders as well. 

He said, “The raiders have to think twice before coming up against Ravinder Pahal. He is a brand player and his threat is obvious. This is the reason why his injury affects the team’s performance and his return gives the team a boost. The team rarely loses a match when he is involved. Parvesh and Sunil have similar strengths and one cannot lose a match when they are available for selection. Both of these players can play in any position. Such players are rare and Parvesh Bhainswal has each type of movement in his locker.”

Importance of the league

Manpreet Singh also talked about how the absence of the PKL for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused a negative effect on the players. He believes that Kabaddi is incomplete without the PKL.

He said, “If PKL was not there, then Kabaddi’s relevance would not be there too. PKL is the reason why Kabaddi is so famous today. The league provides a living to several young players and they get an opportunity to earn through it. These are the reasons why the PKL is very important to us.”

Organizing the league in bio-bubble

The league is being organized at one venue due to the prevailing conditions. All the matches are being conducted in Bengaluru and the players do not have to travel because of it. 

“All the PKL teams do not have to travel a lot right now. The facilities over here are superb. The gym, area for practice and the food is all top quality. Players are focused on playing the matches and doing their training. There is no inconvenience because of the good facilities. We stay together, play Kabaddi and try to give our best,” Manpreet Singh concluded.

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