PKL 2019 Captains And Coaches: Taking a look at all the newly appointed captains and coaches of each of the 12 partaking sides ahead of the seventh edition of the marquee league
Pro Kabaddi League 2019: All Captains And Coaches Of The 12 Franchisees In PKL 7
Ahead of the seventh season of Pro Kabaddi League, while we were revelled in some frantic transfer activity in the auctions, there was some equally intriguing movement of the coaches. U Mumba’s coach ended up joining Telugu Titans, joining their star raider Siddharth Desai in the outfit in what was the biggest transfer of a one-two of player and coach in the showpiece league.
What makes for another enthralling proposition is the fact that in Anup Kumar and Rakesh Kumar we have two former players taking over the mantle of a franchisee for the first time ever in PKL after Manpreet Singh. Anup Kumar has been handed over charge of Puneri Paltan while Rakesh Kumar was announced as the coach of Haryana Steelers for the impending season, two massive developments.
All eyes will be on how two players who previously plied their goods for the Indian side will succeed in their new roles. Imbued with the knowhow of what it takes to succeed at the highest level, the two new entrants into the coaching fraternity will be looking to guide their sides to rampant success under their tutelage. They’ll be looking to emanate Gujarat Fortunegiants’ Manpreet Singh, a player turned coach who has lead his unit to two finals on the bounce.
The sides also revealed all their new coaches for the latest edition of the second costliest league in the country, with some several surprising names being thrown our way. We take a look at all the captains of the 12 partaking sides along with the coach of each outfit for Pro Kabaddi League 2019.
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Dabang Delhi 2019 Captain and Coach
Captain: Joginder Singh Narwal
Coach: Krishan Kumar Hooda
With season 6 of the league being their best outing ever at the marquee event, Delhi went onto name left corner, Joginder Singh Narwal as the captain for the seventh edition of the tournament.
Joginder said: “Our performance last season was very encouraging, and the team has been training with the same energy and passion for the last one-and-a-half months. Last season, the only place we lacked was our defence and we’ve worked hard to make sure we don’t repeat the same mistakes. Last year, we made it all the way to the semi-final and this year we hope to make it to the final.”
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U Mumba 2019 Captain and Coach
Captain: Fazel Atrachali
Coach: Sanjeev Kumar
Losing both their coach and main raider to Telugu Titans, a side they went onto eventually trounce in the opening match of PKL 7, the Mumbai based outfit went onto name defender Fazel Atrachali as their new captain for this season. The development from the side was a testament to the fact that the side are going to heavily focus their gameplan around the defensive side of the game for this season, something they epitomised in the actions as well.
Fazel Atrachali said, “We fought hard last season and we will continue to do the same this year as well. This season we also have youngsters with us who have shown great dedication and promise.”
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U.P. Yoddha 2019 Captain and Coach
Captain: Nitesh Kumar
Coach: J Udaya Kumar
With Nitesh emerging as the highest scoring defender in the previous edition, getting over 200 points, the player who emerged from the young emerging players’ pool was named as the captain of his side for the impending edition of the league. One of the youngest captains in the league, the side reaffirmed their commitment to rewarding deserving players and entrusting them with the side’s success for PKL 2019.
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Jaipur Pink Panthers 2019 Captain and Coach
Captain: Deepak Hooda
Coach: Srinivas Reddy
Looking to regain their lost glory and stake a claim for the glistening trophy, the side went onto make Deepak Hooda their captain for this campaign. The side have earmarked a slew of young players, one selected from the development program in place to upbring players from the grassroots level as they went for a complete overhaul of their side.
Jaipur Pink Panthers’ Deepak Hooda said: “We have 8 to 9 youngsters in our team this year and the new talent will certainly bring some energy and help the team win matches. We have been practising very hard and the youngsters have shown the right intent and hard work necessary to play games at this level.”
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Bengal Warriors 2019 Captain and Coach
Captain: Maninder Singh
Coach: Jagdish Kumble
No new changes for this season for the side with Maninder Singh remaining the captain alongside Jagdish Kumble who continues to remain in the coaching facet.
Maninder Singh said: “With Season 7 around the corner, there is a lot of excitement and pressure. I am looking forward to getting back in the game with fierce competitiveness that the new format has brought, we have trained very rigorously for the same and are looking forward to picking the trophy home this year.”
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Puneri Paltan 2019 Captain and Coach
Captain: Surjeet Singh
Coach: Anup Kumar
One of the outfits to opt for a new captain at the helm as they turned to a fresh face to revel them in a flawless outing in the league, Surjeet Singh was opted as the captaincy pick by his side.
Puneri Paltan skipper Surjeet Singh said: “We have a very good combination of both senior and young players this season which makes us a very strong team as we have the best of the talent. We have practised on our skills and techniques to make sure we give our best on the mat.”
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Patna Pirates 2019 Captain and Coach
Captain: Pardeep Narwal
Coach: Ram Mehar Singh
With the side never going to let go of Dubki King and one of the most astute raiders in the tournament, it was pretty apparent that Patna Pirates were going to retain Pardeep Narwal as their captain for this season as well. And he put in a flawless display in the opening match itself, scoring a Super 10 against a resolute Bengaluru Bulls defence.
Pardeep Narwal, Captain, Patna Pirates: “We’ve won the championship thrice and we will do it again this season. We are a strong and balanced side and there’s nothing that will stop us. Personally, I’m also working on some new moves which you’ll see on the mat in our opening game already.”
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Bengaluru Bulls 2019 Captain and Coach
Captain: Rohit Kumar
Coach: Randhir Singh
Having defeated Gujarat Fortunegiants to lift their first ever title in the dramatic land of PKL, chopping and changing in the pivotal roles was never a prospective for the reigning champions. Raider Rohit Kumar remains the captain while Randhir Singh is the coach for this season as well.
Rohit Kumar said: “All teams are extremely competitive, but I believe Gujarat Fortunegiants and Tamil Thalaivas are our strongest competitors this season. This year we aim to win a maximum number of matches and even if we lose, I will hope to lose with the minimum difference.:
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Tamil Thalaivas 2019 Captain and Coach
Captain: Ajay Thakur
Coach: Edacherry Bhaskaran
Focusing on improving the raiding department by getting in Rahul into the side at accompany the rest of their attacking department, the side also went onto make Ajay Thakur their new campaign.
Ajay Thakur said: “Rahul and I have been playing together for Team India for some time now and we share great chemistry. But this is the first time that both of us will be seen together in PKL. I believe it is going to be great for our fans. I have always believed that hard work pays off and we have been working very hard for the success of our team.”
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Telugu Titans 2019 Captain and Coach
Captain: Abozar Mohajermighani
Coach: Gholamreza Mazandarani
The side ended up unleashing a carnage on U Mumba, raiding not only their raider Siddharth Desai for Rs.1.45 but also roping in their coach. Coach of the Iranian kabaddi team which lifted gold at the Asian Games in 2018, Gholamreza Mazandarani was opted for the coaching position while fellow Iranian Abozar was named as the side’s captain.
Abozar Mohajermighani said: “Our team is made up of strong raiders, a formidable defence line and some good coaches. You can call us the strongest team in the competition. Our players are fit and have been practising continuously for the tournament. We aim to win one match at a time.”
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Gujarat Fortunegiants 2019 Captain and Coach
Captain: Sunil Kumar
Coach: Manpreet Singh
Ever since their onset in the bedlam of the PKL, the side have gone onto make it to two summit clashes on the bounce but see the prestigious title continue to evade them. Previous player, Manpreet Singh will continue to grab the mantles of coaching the side while Sunil Kumar is the side’s captain.
Sunil Kumar said: “This season, just like last season, we have got a lot of new young talent which we believe will be our secret weapons. They will not only enthral and surprise the audience but also our opponents on the mat. We are putting all our efforts to make sure we win the final this time.”
- Haryana Steelers 2019 Captain and Coach
Captain: Dharmraj Cherlathan
Coach: Rahul Kumar
One of the two sides to get in a former player as their coach, Haryana Steelers who massively underachieved previous season have gone in for Rahul Kumar as their coach as the side looks to unlock its true potential under the leadership of Dharmaj Cherlatan.
Haryana Steelers, Captain, Dharmraj Cherlathan: “We have trained very hard and worked on perfecting our skills and building new techniques and strategizing our gameplay. The team is mentally and physically prepared for the new season, and we aim to play well with strategic and smart thinking. The competition of the toughest season ever begins.”
