Telugu Titans PKL 12 Auction Strategy

The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 is just around the corner, and the Telugu Titans are gearing up for the PKL 12 auction with big plans. Based in Hyderabad, this team has been a fan favorite since the league began in 2014. However, their journey has had ups and downs, with the team often struggling to reach the playoffs. For PKL 12, the Telugu Titans have made bold moves by releasing key players and focusing on a fresh strategy. At the PKL 12 auction, Telugu Titans will focus on improving defense, and their plan to bring back star players like Pawan Sehrawat.

A Bold Move: Releasing Star Players

The Telugu Titans surprised everyone by releasing their captain, Pawan Sehrawat, for the second year in a row before the PKL 12 auction. Additionally, they let go of star all-rounder Vijay Malik, who was crucial in improving the team’s performance last season. These two players helped the Titans break their streak of finishing last in the league. So, why did the team make such a risky decision?

The answer lies in their auction strategy. By releasing top players, the Telugu Titans are likely aiming to free up their salary purse to make big bids in the PKL 12 auction. Under the guidance of their experienced head coach, Krishan Kumar Hooda, the team is focusing on building a balanced squad with young talent and seasoned players. This bold move shows that the Titans are ready to take risks to create a team that can compete for the PKL 12 title.

Retaining Secondary Players for Stability

While the Titans released their star players, they chose to retain secondary players like Sagar Sethpal and Ankit. These players performed well in PKL Season 11, providing a solid foundation for the team. By keeping these players, the Titans ensure some continuity while planning to add new talent in the auction. This strategy allows them to balance experience with fresh faces, which is key to building a strong team for PKL 12.

Moreover, retaining secondary players gives Coach Hooda a group of reliable players who understand his system. These players can help new additions adapt quickly, ensuring the team gels well on the mat. With this approach, the Telugu Titans are setting the stage for a competitive season.

Focus on Bringing Back Pawan Sehrawat

One of the main goals for the Telugu Titans in the PKL 12 auction is to bring back their former captain, Pawan Sehrawat. Known as one of the best raiders in the Pro Kabaddi League, Pawan played a huge role in making the Titans a challenging team last season. His leadership and raiding skills helped the team come close to the playoffs, a big improvement from previous years.

The Titans are likely to use their Final Bid Match (FBM) card to secure Pawan Sehrawat in the auction. The FBM card allows a team to match the highest bid for a player they previously released, giving the Titans a strong chance to bring him back. However, Pawan is expected to be a hot property in the PKL 12 auction, with multiple teams likely to bid for him. For example, his record-breaking purchase by the Titans for INR 2.605 crore in the Season 10 auction shows his value in the league.

If the bidding gets too intense, the Titans may face challenges in securing Pawan. In that case, Coach Hooda might shift focus to another star raider, Naveen Kumar. Naveen, who has scored over 1,100 raid points for Dabang Delhi, is entering the auction for the first time. Under Hooda’s coaching, Naveen became an unstoppable raider, and the Dronacharya Award-winning coach would love to have him on the team. Targeting either Pawan or Naveen shows that the Titans are determined to strengthen their raiding unit for PKL 12.

Strengthening the Defense: A Key Priority

While raiding has been a strength for the Telugu Titans, their defense has been a weak point. In PKL Season 11, none of their defenders ranked among the top 25 in the league, which hurt their overall performance. To address this, the Titans are likely to target experienced defenders in the PKL 12 auction to lead their defensive unit.

One potential target is Surjeet Singh, a consistent and reliable defender with years of experience in the Pro Kabaddi League. His ability to organize the defense and execute tackles could be a game-changer for the Titans. Another option is Shubham Shinde, who had an impressive season with his tackling skills. Yogesh Dahiya is also a strong candidate, having shown great promise in recent seasons. Additionally, Nitesh Kumar, a defender with a wealth of experience, could provide the leadership the Titans need on the mat.

By adding one or two experienced defenders, the Titans can improve their defensive performance and create a more balanced team. Coach Hooda’s expertise in building strong teams will be crucial in selecting the right players to fill this gap.

Investing in Young Talent

Another key part of the Telugu Titans’ PKL 12 auction strategy is to invest in young players. With a large salary purse available after releasing top players, the Titans can afford to bid for emerging stars who can grow with the team. Young players bring energy, speed, and hunger to succeed, which can help the Titans compete against stronger teams.

For example, players like Devank Dalal, who earned the Best Raider award in Season 11 with 301 raid points, could be a great addition. His quick footwork and sharp instincts make him a valuable asset. The Titans could also look for young defenders to complement their experienced signings, ensuring a mix of youth and experience in the squad.

By focusing on young talent, the Titans are not only building a team for PKL 12 but also investing in the future. These players can develop under Coach Hooda’s guidance and become the backbone of the team in coming seasons.

Coach Krishan Kumar Hooda’s Vision

Krishan Kumar Hooda, a Kabaddi veteran and Dronacharya Awardee, has been a game-changer for the Telugu Titans. Since joining as head coach, he has worked to rebuild the team and make it more competitive. In PKL Season 11, the Titans showed improvement, thanks to Hooda’s strategies and leadership. For PKL 12, Hooda is likely to focus on creating a balanced team that excels in both raiding and defense.

Hooda’s experience in coaching star players like Naveen Kumar gives him an edge in the auction. He knows how to identify talent and build a team that plays to its strengths. His vision for PKL 12 is clear: create a squad that can challenge for the playoffs and, ultimately, the title. By combining experienced players like Pawan Sehrawat or Surjeet Singh with young stars, Hooda aims to make the Telugu Titans a strong contender in the Pro Kabaddi League.

Challenges in the PKL 12 Auction

While the Telugu Titans have a clear strategy, the PKL 12 auction will not be easy. With stars like Pawan Sehrawat, Naveen Kumar, Arjun Deshwal, and Mohammadreza Shadloui available, competition will be fierce. Teams like Haryana Steelers, Puneri Paltan, and Patna Pirates will also be looking to strengthen their squads, which could drive up bidding prices.

Additionally, the Titans’ decision to release top players like Pawan and Vijay Malik carries some risk. If they fail to secure their targets in the auction, they may struggle to match their improved performance from last season. However, with a large salary purse and Hooda’s expertise, the Titans are well-positioned to navigate these challenges and build a strong team.

The Telugu Titans are entering the PKL 12 auction with a bold and exciting strategy. By releasing star players like Pawan Sehrawat and Vijay Malik, they have freed up funds to make big bids for top talent. Their focus is clear: bring back Pawan or target a star raider like Naveen Kumar, strengthen their defense with experienced players like Surjeet Singh or Shubham Shinde, and invest in young talent to build for the future. Under Coach Krishan Kumar Hooda’s leadership, the Titans are ready to create a balanced and competitive team for Pro Kabaddi League Season 12.

With the auction set for May 31 and June 1, 2025, in Mumbai, Kabaddi fans are eagerly waiting to see how the Titans’ strategy plays out. Will they reclaim their captain and build a playoff-contending team? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Telugu Titans are ready to make a strong statement in PKL 12.

FAQs

1. Why did Telugu Titans release Pawan Sehrawat for the PKL 12 auction?

The Telugu Titans released Pawan Sehrawat to free up their salary purse, allowing them to bid for top players in the PKL 12 auction. This strategy aims to build a balanced team with both experienced and young players.

2. Who are the key defenders Telugu Titans might target in the PKL 12 auction?

The Titans are likely to target experienced defenders like Surjeet Singh, Shubham Shinde, Yogesh Dahiya, or Nitesh Kumar to improve their defensive performance in PKL 12.

3. What is the role of Coach Krishan Kumar Hooda in the Telugu Titans’ strategy?

Coach Krishan Kumar Hooda is leading the Titans’ rebuild by focusing on a balanced squad. His experience and vision are key to selecting the right players and creating a competitive team for PKL 12.