Tamil Thalaivas release another star defender before PKL 12

Tamil Thalaivas are looking for a complete turnaround after a poor performance in Pro Kabaddi League season 11.

Following the ninth-place finish in the recently concluded PKL 11, Tamil Thalaivas are desperate for some drastic changes. The Chennai-based franchise failed to qualify for the playoffs, ending their campaign with 60 points from 22 outings. They secured eight wins, suffered 13 losses, and managed a single tie, ultimately finishing with a score difference of 16.

With an underwhelming performance in the eleventh edition of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), Tamil Thalaivas have opted for major changes, starting with their coaching staff. The franchise announced the departure of chief coach Udayakumar and strategy coach Dharmaraj Cheralathan, marking the end of their tenure following a disappointing season.

Ahead of the last season, Tamil Thalaivas took an unconventional approach by opting for a dual-coach system instead of the traditional head coach and assistant coach structure. The idea was to enhance the team’s strategic depth by working collaboratively. However, things did not go as planned.

The Thalaivas started the tournament well but gradually lost momentum as the season progressed. To turn things around, the franchise has now appointed Sanjeev Baliyan as the new head coach for the upcoming season.

Tamil Thalaivas released another player

Amid the restructuring, Tamil Thalaivas have continued to make changes to their squad. The latest departure from their ranks is M. Abhishek, following the exits of Sahil Gulia and Mohit. Abhishek played a crucial role in the defensive setup of the team, primarily operating as a right-cover defender.

In the recently concluded PKL 11 season, he featured in 17 matches, earning a total of 31 points. He recorded an average of 1.76 successful tackles per match with a tackle success rate of 40%. Although he did not contribute in raids, he managed one super tackle during the season.

Tamil Thalaivas have released right cover Abishek Manokaran ahead of PKL 12 😢#PKL | #PKL12 | #ProKabaddiLeague | #Kabaddi | #PKLSeason12 | #ProKabaddi | #TamilThalaivas pic.twitter.com/JuwrmX4Nl4

— Khel Kabaddi (@KhelNowKabaddi) February 12, 2025

Tamil Thalaivas release star defender Sahil Gulia

Before Abhishek’s departure, Tamil Thalaivas made a bold decision to part ways with their star defender, Sahil Gulia, ahead of PKL 12. Sahil had been a key part of the squad since making his debut in Season 8. Beyond his defensive contributions, Sahil also stepped up as a leader when required. With regular captain Sagar Rathee sidelined due to injury, he took charge of the team and played a crucial role in keeping the defence intact.

During Season 11, Tamil Thalaivas started strong and even topped the standings at the end of the third week. However, a drop in form saw them struggle in the latter half of the season. As a result, Sahil found himself benched in the latter stages of the campaign.

Tamil Thalaivas have also released left-corner defender Mohit Jakhar ahead of the upcoming season. The franchise officially announced his departure on February 6.

Mohit made his PKL debut in Season 8 with the Thalaivas, where he earned 24 points from 69 tackles in 20 matches, with a tackle success rate of 33%. In Season 9, he improved his numbers, securing 34 points. His performance slightly declined in Season 10, where he collected 25 points before being released following PKL 11.

With a string of releases and a new head coach at the helm, Tamil Thalaivas are aiming for a fresh start in PKL 12. Their disappointing finish in Season 11 has forced them to make these difficult decisions, and it will be interesting to see how they rebuild their squad for the upcoming edition.

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