[Watch] Randhir Singh backs Pawan Sehrawat amid controversy with Tamil Thalaivas in PKL 12

Tamil Thalaivas released Pawan Sehrawat due to disciplinary reasons.

The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 (PKL 12) faced one of its biggest mid-season controversies as Pawan Sehrawat, captain of the Indian national team and Arjuna Awardee, was sent home by Tamil Thalaivas for “disciplinary reasons”.

The franchise’s move to release their captain shocked fans and experts alike, especially considering Pawan’s status as one of the most accomplished players in the league’s history.

However, Randhir Singh Sehrawat, Pawan’s long-time mentor, spoke out passionately, calling the decision an injustice and defending his former student’s character with a string of heartfelt quotes.

The episode unfolded just days after Tamil Thalaivas announced they had released Pawan Sehrawat for alleged discipline breaches. Pawan strongly denied the claims by vowing to quit Kabaddi forever if even “1%” of the allegations proved true.

Here’s what Randhir Singh Sehrawat said about his student Pawan Sehrawat-

Watch Part 1 here-

“Two or three days ago, what happened with my student, Pawan Sehrawat, was wrong, because right now he is the captain of the Indian kabaddi team. It’s only been a year since he received the Arjuna Award. One person’s words cannot suddenly make someone undisciplined. I have taught him like a son. I know he is someone who lives with discipline. There’s proof: a year ago, he made a mistake, I slapped him, and he did not even look me in the eye, standing quietly with his head down. If he were undisciplined, he would have reacted even against me. I’ve known him for 10-12 years, since he was a young boy. He simply cannot be undisciplined.”

Also Read: Pawan Sehrawat ready to quit Kabaddi if Tamil Thalaivas can prove disciplinary allegations

Randhir also questioned the internal dynamics behind the scenes: “As far as the Tamil Thalaivas’ owner is concerned, I have spoken with him; he’s a nice person. But who is it in the middle who is playing with the future of the captain of Team India? As for the coach, my first student is Sanjeev Baliyan; I taught him the ABCD of Kabaddi before Pro Kabaddi even existed, made him an Arjuna Awardee, and he himself was a great raider and a believer in discipline. I don’t think anyone is more disciplined than him. He could not have done this, nor could the owner. So who is it that is jeopardising the future of an Arjuna Awardee?” 

The decision not only affects Pawan’s future, but could also derail the league’s value. PKL has grown into India’s second most-watched league, and many, including Randhir, worry about the damage such opaque incidents may do to its reputation.

Watch Part 2 here-

“Don’t defame Pro Kabaddi because of a few people. This league was built with the sweat and effort of many, and today it’s India’s second-biggest. Platforms like PKL, Star Sports gave young players a chance; from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, everyone knows this is the country’s No. 2 league after cricket. So many people have contributed; it was the dream of Late Janardan Singh Gehlot, and now bright youngsters and league commissioner Anupam Goswami and Shri Prasad Rao ji are taking that dream forward. They always think about how to advance kabaddi. So action should be taken against such people who pull the game backwards. One person’s words should not put a player’s entire future at risk.”

Randhir continued, “If he was undisciplined, why did you pick him in Season 9 and praise him so much? The owner is a good person; I know him personally, and he couldn’t have done this. Last season, when I asked if my student was doing anything wrong, I was told he was very disciplined. If he’s really “undisciplined,” why pick him for Season 12? He was disciplined, that’s why he was picked! I challenge anyone; there’s a big difference between ego and discipline.”

“There’s ego in him, sure. A player must have ego! There are three things every player must have: vision, strong intent, and discipline. Pawan has discipline. He’s endured enough punishment under me; how could he have, if he wasn’t? I can’t accept that he’s undisciplined. He still has a long career ahead. My request to league commissioner Anupam Goswami, Shri Prasad Rao, and others is: investigate and think about his future. He delivered India a gold medal in the final against Iran with a brilliant performance; never forget, he represents 140 crore Indians. Don’t release him suddenly based on one incident. He is mature, and the owner, too, is a good person who should personally look into this.”

Randhir concluded, saying, “If he really was undisciplined, why not sit him down and say, ‘This is where you were wrong, you’re a good player, don’t do this again.’ I hope this matter gets resolved quickly and that Pro Kabaddi keeps progressing. Many people are working hard for it; first, let me appreciate Anupam Goswami and Prasad Rao ji. As Pawan’s coach, I request and appeal that this matter be looked into and resolved, and that he is allowed to play this season somewhere. That is my special request.”

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