Tamil Thalaivas: PKL History, Achievements and Social Media
Tamil Thalaivas is often regarded as one of the most talked about franchise in PKL, and the massive fan base in southern state with amazing cult fan following where they treat player as demi god.
Here in this article we will reveal Tamil Thalaivas, performances over the years to be shared in the below format:
Before we dive deep into we would need to understand they came later, in the marquee event but the moment they marked their authority, they never look back from 5th Season onwards.
Tamil Thalaivas have been phenomenal team irrespective of last season where they faced numerous controversies where coach and captain including the likes of- Arjun Deshwal and Sanjeev Baliyan where they announced- There is several things wrong with this team as no power have been given to Coach instead statistician decide who will be part of Playing 7.
Also Pawan Sehrawat, suddenly missing from the squad raised several eyebrows, eventually code of conduct reason forecasted via Tamil Thalaivas Franchise, again raised questions eventually, ace player revealed that problem lies with statiscian.
Let’s explore the Tamil Thalaivas Franchise from Season 5 onwards to be shared in the below format:
Tamil Thalaivas debuted with tremendous anticipation. Led by a combination of experience and youth, the team looked promising.
Key Highlights
Ajay Thakur showcased incredible consistency.
The team competed hard in several close matches.
The brand presence and fanbase grew rapidly across Tamil Nadu.
Performance
Despite the hype, Tamil Thalaivas finished at the bottom of Zone B. Close losses, lack of finishing, and defensive inconsistencies hurt them repeatedly. Still, the foundation of a strong identity was laid.
Worst Moment of Season
Losing multiple matches by narrow margins despite strong starts.
Best Moment
Ajay Thakur’s sensational last-minute raids that kept the team competitive.
The season ended with disappointment but also optimism, given the talent in the squad.
SEASON 6 (2018): Rise of Ajay Thakur, but Team Struggles Continue
Season 6 again revolved around Ajay Thakur’s brilliance. He delivered yet another fantastic season, finishing as one of the top raiders.
Achievements
Ajay Thakur emerged as the face of the team and a league superstar.
Tamil Thalaivas built a strong home crowd presence.
Performance
The results, however, did not follow. Tamil Thalaivas again finished near the bottom of the table. Injuries, inconsistent defending, and lack of support for Ajay Thakur remained critical problems.
Best Moment
Ajay Thakur’s performance in the Chennai leg electrified home fans.
Worst Moment
Losing momentum midway through the season and being eliminated early.
The management realized major changes were required.
SEASON 7 (2019): A Star-Studded Squad That Could Not Deliver
Tamil Thalaivas built one of the most expensive squads in PKL Season 7, signing:
Ajay Thakur
On paper, this was a dream lineup. Two legendary raiders and one iconic defender brought experience and firepower.
Expectations
Fans believed this was the year Tamil Thalaivas would finally break into the playoffs.
Reality
The team struggled with:
Confusing strategies
Defensive failures
Lack of cohesion
Over-dependence on individual brilliance
They finished last on the points table.
Best Moment
A few standout performances from Rahul and Ajay, especially early in the season.
Worst Moment
A massive losing streak that ended playoff hopes far too early.
SEASON 8 (2021–22): A New Beginning with a Young Squad
After three disappointing seasons, Tamil Thalaivas made a bold move: youth empowerment. The franchise released most senior players and focused on promising young talents.
Key names included:
Sagar (Right Corner)
Surjeet Singh (Captain & Cover)
Manjeet (Raider)
Ajinkya Pawar (Emerging raider)
Achievements
Sagar emerged as one of the league’s best defenders and a contender for the Best Defender Award.
The team became extremely competitive.
Performance
Tamil Thalaivas hovered around mid-table, staying in playoff contention for a long period. Although they narrowly missed the playoffs, it was easily their best season until then.
Best Moment
The defensive unit dominated powerful raiding teams, earning praise from analysts.
Worst Moment
A few unlucky close losses cost them a playoff spot.
Season 8 restored belief among fans that Tamil Thalaivas could finally build a strong future.
SEASON 9 (2022): The Turnaround Season – PLAYOFFS AT LAST!
Season 9 is considered the defining year of the Tamil Thalaivas franchise.
Early Setback
Their star raider Pawan Sehrawat, the most expensive PKL signing at the time, was injured in the very first match of the season.
Many experts predicted Tamil Thalaivas would collapse.
But something unbelievable happened.
Under interim coach Ashan Kumar, the team produced:
A stunning revival
Breakout raiding performances by Narender Kandola
Rock-solid defending by Sagar, M. Abhishek, and Mohit
Achievements
Tamil Thalaivas reached the playoffs for the FIRST TIME in franchise history.
Narender finished among the top raiders.
The defense became one of the most disciplined units in PKL.
Best Moment
Winning the ELIMINATOR and reaching the semi-finals, a historic milestone.
Worst Moment
Sagar’s injury late in the season affected their semifinal push.
Still, Season 9 changed everything. The franchise was no longer underperformers — they were contenders.
SEASON 10 (2023–24): Competitive, but Not Clinical
Season 10 carried high expectations.
Key Players
- Narender (lead raider)
- Ajinkya Pawar
- Sagar (captain)
The team competed strongly in many matches but lacked consistency in the second half of the season.
Achievements
- Narender continued to evolve as a top young raider.
- The team remained competitive against top PKL sides.
Struggles
- Lack of depth in raiding at crucial moments.
- Defensive errors in pressure situations.
Best Moment
- Multiple comeback wins showing resilience.
Worst Moment
- Missing out on the playoff race despite a strong roster.
The season was not a failure, but it highlighted the need for more maturity among younger players.
SEASON 11 & 12 (2024–25): The Building Phase for a New Identity
(Since Season 12 is ongoing/current, the analysis below focuses on franchise trends and known structural developments.)
Tamil Thalaivas started focusing on:
- Long-term squad building
- Retaining young talent
- Investing in scouting networks
- Strengthening coaching infrastructure
Key Themes
- Youth development
- Balanced raiding approach
- Defensive stability
- Creating homegrown Tamil Nadu stars
The Thalaivas are now respected for:
- Grooming young raiders
- Producing quality defenders
- Strong tactical discipline
Even though playoff consistency is still a work in progress, the team no longer carries the “bottom-table tag.” They are considered a dangerous opponent for any franchise.
🏅 FRANCHISE ACHIEVEMENTS (SEASON 5–12)
1. Reached Playoffs for the First Time (Season 9)
A historic milestone that changed the franchise’s identity.
2. Produced Star Players
- Sagar – one of the league’s leading defenders
- Narender – one of the best young raiders in PKL history
- Ajinkya Pawar – clutch raider
- Manjeet Chhillar (Season 7) – league legend
- Ajay Thakur – Thalaivas icon
3. Built a Massive Fanbase in Tamil Nadu
The franchise has one of the most loyal and passionate regional fanbases.
4. Strong Digital Growth
Their unique Tamil-centric communication style and emotional storytelling resonate strongly with fans.
🔥 BEST MOMENTS (OVERALL)
- Season 9 Playoffs Qualification – The biggest moment in their PKL history.
- Emergence of Narender Kandola – A young raider turning into a superstar.
- Sagar’s Dominance – Multiple top defender performances.
- Chennai Home Leg Atmosphere – Electrifying support unmatched anywhere.
- Winning close thrillers in Season 8 & 9 showing newfound resilience.
😢 WORST MOMENTS (OVERALL)
- Finishing last in multiple seasons (5, 6, 7) despite huge expectations.
- Season 9 — Pawan Sehrawat injury in the first match derailing initial plans.
- Season 7 super-team collapse despite having Rahul Chaudhari, Ajay Thakur, and Manjeet Chhillar.
- Lost crucial matches due to defense errors in late-game situations.
- Fan disappointment after big-money signings failed to deliver results.
Audience Strength (Approximate Trends)
- Instagram: Strong engagement, high reel views, thriving Tamil-speaking audience.
- YouTube: Match highlights, interviews, documentary-style videos.
- Facebook: Powerful traction among older and regional fans.
- Twitter: Active match-day presence and fan interaction.
Their digital approach focuses heavily on:
- Authentic regional storytelling
- Celebrating Tamil pride
- Showcasing rising stars
- Engaging younger fans with humour & culture
This has made them one of the most emotionally connected franchises in PKL.
🌟 TEAM IDENTITY & CULTURAL IMPACT
Tamil Thalaivas are more than just a kabaddi franchise. They represent:
- Tamil culture
- South Indian kabaddi roots
- Grassroots talent pathways
- A never-give-up attitude
Despite early failures, the team has built:
- A strong legacy of loyalty
- A youth-driven squad
- One of PKL’s fastest-growing fan communities
Their journey mirrors a classic underdog story — full of struggle, learning, resilience, and eventual triumph.
CONCLUSION: Tamil Thalaivas – A Team Reborn
From finishing last multiple times to producing one of the greatest comebacks in PKL history, the Tamil Thalaivas’ journey has been a rollercoaster. What sets them apart is their resilience. They never stopped believing. They rebuilt, restructured, and redefined themselves until they reached the playoffs in Season 9 — a milestone that symbolized their rise.
Today, the Thalaivas are:
- Competitive
- Youth-driven
- Strategically stronger
- Digitally influential
- And full of potential for future championships
The franchise is no longer judged by early failures but by its remarkable comeback, evolving squad, and dedication to building a stronger kabaddi culture in Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Thalaivas PKL Journey (Season 5 – Season 12)
Vertical Tabular Format
SEASON 5 (2017) – The Debut Season
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Overview | Tamil Thalaivas entered PKL with massive hype, combining experience & youth. |
| Key Highlights | – Ajay Thakur’s consistent brilliance – Strong fanbase growth – Several close contests |
| Performance | Finished bottom of Zone B. Strong starts but poor finishing & defensive errors. |
| Best Moment | Ajay Thakur’s remarkable last-minute raids keeping the team alive in matches. |
| Worst Moment | Losing several matches by narrow margins despite dominating early. |
| Impact | Foundation of team identity established; optimism despite poor results. |
SEASON 6 (2018) – Rise of Ajay Thakur, Team Struggles Continue
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Overview | Ajay Thakur carried the team with another elite season. |
| Achievements | – Ajay became league superstar – Strong home leg support |
| Performance | Again finished near the bottom. Injuries + lack of defensive support hurt results. |
| Best Moment | Electrifying home leg where Ajay dominated. |
| Worst Moment | Mid-season collapse leading to early elimination. |
| Impact | Realization for the need of structural and personnel overhaul. |
SEASON 7 (2019) – The Super Team That Failed
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Overview | Assembled star trio: Rahul Chaudhari, Ajay Thakur & Manjeet Chhillar. |
| Expectations | High hopes of first-ever playoffs finish. |
| Reality | Strategy confusion, poor defense, no cohesion, reliance on individual brilliance. |
| Performance | Finished last in the league. |
| Best Moment | Early-season flashes from Rahul & Ajay. |
| Worst Moment | Long losing streak ending playoff hopes. |
| Impact | Major setback; exposed flaws in team planning and chemistry. |
SEASON 8 (2021–22) – Youth Revolution
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Overview | Franchise rebooted with a young core: Sagar, Surjeet, Ajinkya Pawar, Manjeet. |
| Achievements | – Sagar became top defender contender – Team stayed competitive all season |
| Performance | Narrowly missed playoffs; best season in franchise history until then. |
| Best Moment | Defensive dominance vs top raiding units. |
| Worst Moment | Close losses costing playoff qualification. |
| Impact | Restored fan faith and built a strong foundation for the future. |
SEASON 9 (2022) – Historic Playoffs Breakthrough
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Overview | Turnaround season. Pawan injured early; team revived under Ashan Kumar. |
| Achievements | – First-ever playoffs qualification – Narender became breakout raider – Defense became elite |
| Performance | Reached semifinals; best-ever season. |
| Best Moment | Winning the Eliminator—historic moment. |
| Worst Moment | Sagar’s late-season injury affecting semifinal push. |
| Impact | Completely changed franchise image from underperformers to contenders. |
SEASON 10 (2023–24) – Competitive but Unpolished
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Overview | High expectations with young core: Narender, Ajinkya, Sagar. |
| Achievements | – Narender continued rising – Team pushed top sides to the limit |
| Performance | Inconsistent second half; failed to reach playoffs. |
| Best Moment | Multiple comeback wins demonstrating fighting spirit. |
| Worst Moment | Dropping crucial matches due to defensive lapses. |
| Impact | Showed potential but highlighted need for depth & maturity. |
SEASON 11 & 12 (2024–25) – Building a New Identity
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Overview | Focus on long-term planning, scouting, and developing homegrown stars. |
| Key Themes | – Youth-first approach – Balanced raiding unit – Strong defensive framework |
| Performance | Competitive but still seeking consistent playoff runs. |
| Strengths | – Talent development – Tamil Nadu grassroots integration – Tactical discipline |
| Impact | Franchise respected for stability, culture, and player grooming. |
FRANCHISE SUMMARY (SEASON 5–12)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Achievements | – First playoffs in Season 9 – Produced stars: Sagar, Narender, Ajinkya, Ajay Thakur – Massive Tamil Nadu fanbase |
| Best Moments Overall | – Season 9 playoff run – Narender’s rise – Sagar’s defensive dominance – Electrifying Chennai leg |
| Worst Moments Overall | – Bottom-table finishes in Seasons 5–7 – Pawan’s Season 9 injury – Collapse of Season 7 super-team |
| Digital Strength | – Tamil-centric storytelling – High Instagram & YouTube engagement – Deep emotional fan connect |
| Team Identity | – Represents Tamil culture – Underdog-to-contender journey – Youth development powerhouse |
CONCLUSION – Tamil Thalaivas: A Reborn Franchise
| Category | Summary |
|---|---|
| Evolution | From repeated failures to becoming one of PKL’s strongest youth-driven teams. |
| Strength Today | Competitive, disciplined, digitally influential, and culturally rooted. |
| Future Outlook | Strong potential for consistent playoff runs & championship contention. |
Tamil Thalaivas Social Media Profile:
Tamil Thalaivas have amazing fan following on social media and deserve credit for the support regarding Stakeholders who have worked hard behind the scenes to make this entity extremely popular.
Tamil Thalaivas have more than 5 lakh subscriber on Instagram when it comes to Youtube have 52.8K subscribers.
Tamil Thalaivas Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/tamilthalaivas/
Tamil Thalaivas Yotube Profile: https://www.youtube.com/c/TamilThalaivas
Overall Tamil Thalaivas should be celebrated for their cult following also players needs to work on their order through which they can surpass things at ease.
| Category | Details |
|---|
| Franchise | Tamil Thalaivas |
| Social Media Presence | Highly popular with a massive cult following in Tamil Nadu and across India |
| Instagram Subscribers | 5,00,000+ followers |
| Instagram Profile Link | Tamil Thalaivas Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamilthalaivas/ |
| YouTube Subscribers | 52.8K subscribers |
| YouTube Profile Link | Tamil Thalaivas YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TamilThalaivas |
| Stakeholder Contribution | Strong credit to management, digital teams, and support staff for building the brand’s visibility and emotional fan connect |
| Fanbase Highlight | Known for one of the most passionate, loyal, and engaged fan communities in PKL |
| Team Reflection | Players need to improve structural order and performance to match the expectations created by their fanbase |
| Overall Remark | Tamil Thalaivas deserve recognition for their exceptional digital presence and the unwavering support of their fan community |
Final Perspective:
Overall, it has been great journey for them but them not winning single PKL title speaks a volume about them need to work on several factors and make sure their plan should come at one place in order to pull up winning string for them.
