Telugu Titans: PKL History, Achievements and Social Media
When the Pro Kabaddi League began in 2014, the league introduced new heroes, iconic rivalries, and unforgettable moments to a sport that was once limited to local tournaments and national championships. Among the eight founding teams was the Telugu Titans, a franchise that carried the pride of the Telugu-speaking region — representing both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Over the next twelve seasons, the Titans experienced a roller-coaster of emotions: moments of brilliance, deep lows, huge fan expectations, big signings, and heartbreaks that shaped their identity.
This is the complete story of the Telugu Titans, their rise, fall, and the hope that keeps the Yellow Army going even today.
The Origin: A Team Built on Flair and Fan Following
When the Titans entered PKL Season 1, they came with a clear vision — to combine regional pride with world-class Kabaddi. Unlike other teams, the Titans became popular not just for their performances but also for their massive entertainment quotient, their connect with Telugu cinema, and their stylish brand identity.
Over the years, despite inconsistent performances, the Titans built one of the largest and most loyal fan bases in PKL history.
But their on-mat journey has been a story of extreme contrasts — some spectacular highs and some painful lows.
Let’s dive season by Season 1 (2014): The Promising Start
Telugu Titans made a strong debut in Season 1. Captained by Rahul Chaudhari, who later became the face of the franchise, the Titans showcased fearless raiding. They finished the season respectably, displaying a balance between attack and defense.
While they didn’t enter the playoffs, their performance set the tone for future seasons: aggressive raiding and sharp counterattacks.
Season 2 (2015): The Rise of a Contender
Season 2 was one of the most memorable seasons in Titans’ history. Powered by Rahul Chaudhari, Sukesh Hegde, and Deepak Hooda, the Titans looked like one of the strongest units in the league.
They performed brilliantly in the league stage and qualified for the playoffs — their first major achievement.
Best Moments of Season 2:
Rahul finishing as one of the top raiders
The team reaching the semifinals
A cohesive raiding unit that troubled every opposition
Worst Moment:
Losing the semifinal despite dominating the season
Season 2 ended with hope. The Titans looked like future champions.
Season 3 (2016 – January): Playoff Consistency Continues
Season 3 further cemented the Titans’ reputation. They again reached the semifinals, thanks to Rahul Chaudhari’s ridiculous form.
In this season, the Titans played with confidence and flair, often defeating top teams and becoming unbeatable at home.
Key Highlights:
Back-to-back playoff appearance
Rahul becoming PKL’s poster boy
Strong defensive contributions from Sandeep Kandola
However, championship glory still remained out of reach.
Season 4 (2016 – June): Their Best Season Ever
If there is one season that defines Telugu Titans’ glory, it is Season 4.
With Rahul Chaudhari, Nilesh Salunke, Sandeep Kandola, and Iranian all-rounder Farhad Rahimi, the Titans delivered their most complete performance.
They once again reached the playoffs, and this time, they went all the way to the Semifinals, coming extremely close to the final.
Best Moment:
One of the strongest home leg performances in PKL history
Rahul becoming the first raider to score 400 raid points
Titans becoming the most feared team of the season
Worst Moment:
Narrow loss that denied them a maiden final appearance
Season 4 is widely regarded as Telugu Titans’ golden era.
Season 5 (2017): The Beginning of the Decline
With new zones introduced and teams reshuffled, Season 5 did not go as expected. The Titans retained Rahul Chaudhari and brought in Rohit Rana and Vishal Bhardwaj, but the spark was missing.
The defense was inconsistent, and the team struggled to close out matches.
Key Issues:
Overdependence on Rahul
Weak bench strength
Lack of finishing in close matches
They finished outside the playoffs — the first sign of a long struggle ahead.
Season 6 (2018): A Season of Unfulfilled Potential
Season 6 was yet another season where the Titans looked strong on paper but failed on the mat. Rahul Chaudhari continued to perform but lacked consistent support.
Their defense faltered repeatedly, and despite flashes of brilliance, the team ended mid-table.
This season confirmed that the Titans were moving away from their glory days.
Season 7 (2019): The Storm Before the Collapse
Telugu Titans went all-in for Season 7 by signing star raider Siddharth Desai for ₹1.45 crore — one of the highest bids in PKL history.
Expectations were sky-high.
Problems That Hurt Titans in S7:
Zero support raiders for Siddharth
Frequent injuries
Losing momentum early in the season
Despite Siddharth scoring Super 10s consistently, the Titans ended among the lowest-ranked teams.
Season 8 (2021): The Worst Season in Franchise History (Until Then)
Season 8 is remembered as a season where nothing worked.
The Titans suffered one of the worst losing streaks in PKL history, with their defense collapsing game after game. Neither Siddharth nor Rajnish Norwal could rescue the team.
Highlights (or Lowlights):
No stability in raiding
Zero confidence in crunch moments
Frequent all-outs conceded
Season 8 is often cited as the moment when the franchise hit rock bottom.
Season 9 (2022): A New Low — The Rock Bottom Season
If Season 8 was bad, Season 9 was worse.
This season was officially the worst-performing season for any team in PKL history. Telugu Titans won just 2 matches out of 22 — an all-time record low.
Despite big signings like Siddharth Desai, Surjeet Singh, Monu Goyat, the team could not find rhythm.
Worst Moments of Season 9:
Losing streak breaking all previous records
Change of coaches mid-season
Star signings performing below expectations
Constant defensive breakdowns
Season 9 became a symbol of everything that was wrong with the franchise: recruitment, strategy, form, and mental strength.
This season was officially the worst-performing season for any team in PKL history. Telugu Titans won just 2 matches out of 22 — an all-time record low.
Despite big signings like Siddharth Desai, Surjeet Singh, Monu Goyat, the team could not find rhythm.
Worst Moments of Season 9:
- Losing streak breaking all previous records
- Change of coaches mid-season
- Star signings performing below expectations
- Constant defensive breakdowns
Season 9 became a symbol of everything that was wrong with the franchise: recruitment, strategy, form, and mental strength.
Season 10 (2023): Small Improvement but Long Road Ahead
In Season 10, the Titans brought in players like Pawan Sehrawat for a record ₹2.6 crore — the highest bid ever in PKL history.
But the results did not match the investment.
Pawan was often left alone to raid without support, and the defensive unit again struggled.
While the Titans looked better than Season 9, they still finished among the bottom teams.
Season 11 (2024): Rebuilding Phase with Young Talent
Season 11 marked a rebuilding phase. The Titans focused on young raiders and strong defensive picks.
While they still didn’t make the playoffs, the team looked more competitive after years of struggle.
Important Positives:
- Less reliance on superstar signings
- Stronger defensive combinations
- Close-match improvements
However, the team still lacked the finishing ability of top-tier squads.
Season 12 (2025): The New Telugu Titans Era Begins
Season 12 has been about one thing: complete reset.
With new coaching staff, new scouting system, and a youth-driven approach, the Titans are rebuilding from scratch. Young raiders, fresh defenders, and a clearer tactical approach have given fans fresh hope.
While the results are still expected to fluctuate, the attitude and energy of the team mark the beginning of a new chapter.
Best Seasons in Telugu Titans History
Here are their best-performing seasons:
1. Season 4 (Golden Era)
- Most complete squad
- Reached playoffs
- Dominant home leg
- Rahul Chaudhari at peak
2. Season 3
- Consistency throughout
- Playoff qualification
- Strong defense
3. Season 2
- First-ever semifinal appearance
- One of the strongest teams statistically
These seasons represent the Titans at their best — stylish, powerful, and full of confidence.
Worst Seasons in Telugu Titans History
1. Season 9 (Historically Worst)
- Only 2 wins in the entire season
- Lowest standings in PKL history
- Star players failing collectively
2. Season 8
- Zero combination
- No defensive structure
- Repeated heavy losses
3. Season 10 & 7
- Big investments, low returns
- No balance between raid and defense
These seasons hurt the fans deeply and changed the franchise’s approach permanently.
Best Moments :
Telugu Titans played top notch Kabaddi in Season 12, where they finished at 3rd place, the season would be remembered as someone who didn’t do well from Season 3 onwards, it seems that strategy imposed by the franchise, have been second to none.
Telugu Titans have been one of the most popular franchise and credit should be given to all stakeholders who have worked hard behind the scenes to make this entity extremely popular.
Telugu Titans Coach Krishan Kumar Hooda also deserve credit for instilling self belief in them where they did play freely to the best of their ability.
Overall when it comes to offense and defense the quality of Kabaddi have been exceptional.
CEO, Trinadh Reddy praised the envoirnment for ensuring titans bring their A game on the table.
Telugu Titans have been exceptional and captaincy instinct by Vijay Malik have been hallmark for the franchise.
Telugu Titans – Complete Journey (Vertical Tabular Format)
1. Team Identity & Introduction
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Team | Telugu Titans |
| Representing Region | Andhra Pradesh & Telangana |
| PKL Debut | Season 1 (2014) |
| Known For | Flair, entertainment quotient, Telugu cinema association, massive fan base |
| Identity | Stylish brand, high fan engagement |
| Journey Summary | Extreme highs, deep lows, iconic moments, big signings, heartbreaks, and rebuilding phases |
2. Season-by-Season Journey
Season 1 (2014)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Captain | Rahul Chaudhari |
| Performance | Respectable debut season |
| Strengths | Fearless raiding, balanced attack-defense |
| Outcome | Missed playoffs but set strong foundation |
Season 2 (2015)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Key Players | Rahul Chaudhari, Sukesh Hegde, Deepak Hooda |
| Performance | One of their strongest seasons |
| Achievements | Reached playoffs (Semifinals) |
| Best Moments | Rahul among top raiders; cohesive raiding unit |
| Worst Moment | Semifinal loss after a dominating league stage |
Season 3 (2016 – Jan)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Performance | Consistent season |
| Achievement | Back-to-back playoff qualification |
| Key Players | Rahul Chaudhari, Sandeep Kandola |
| Highlights | Strong home performances; Rahul becomes PKL poster boy |
Season 4 (2016 – June)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Known As | Best season in Titans’ history |
| Key Players | Rahul Chaudhari, Nilesh Salunke, Sandeep Kandola, Farhad Rahimi |
| Achievement | Reached Semifinals |
| Best Moments | Dominant home leg; Rahul crosses 400 raid points |
| Worst Moment | Narrow semifinal loss |
| Legacy | Considered Titans’ Golden Era |
Season 5 (2017)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Issue | Beginning of decline |
| Squad | Rahul retained; added Rohit Rana & Vishal Bhardwaj |
| Weaknesses | Inconsistent defense, overdependence on Rahul, weak bench |
| Outcome | Failed to reach playoffs |
Season 6 (2018)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Performance | Underwhelming |
| Strengths | Individual brilliance from Rahul |
| Weaknesses | Defensive collapses, lack of support raiding |
| Outcome | Mid-table finish |
Season 7 (2019)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Signing | Siddharth Desai for ₹1.45 crore |
| Expectation | Extremely high |
| Issues | Injuries, poor support raiding, early loss of momentum |
| Outcome | Finished among bottom teams |
Season 8 (2021)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Status | Worst season in franchise history (till then) |
| Issues | Losing streak, collapsing defense, unstable raiding unit |
| Highlights | None |
| Outcome | Rock-bottom performance |
Season 9 (2022)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Status | Historically worst PKL season for any team |
| Wins | Only 2 out of 22 matches |
| Major Signings | Siddharth Desai, Surjeet Singh, Monu Goyat |
| Issues | Record losing streak, coaching changes, star underperformance |
| Legacy | Most difficult chapter in Titans’ journey |
Season 10 (2023)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Signing | Pawan Sehrawat for ₹2.6 crore (highest PKL bid) |
| Performance | Slightly better but still bottom-half finish |
| Issues | Overdependence on Pawan, weak defense |
| Outcome | Marginal improvement from S9 |
Season 11 (2024)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Phase | Rebuilding |
| Strategy | Focus on youth, defensive strengthening |
| Positives | Competitive matches, reduced reliance on superstars, improved combinations |
| Outcome | Missed playoffs but showed promise |
Season 12 (2025)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Phase | Complete reset & youth-driven era |
| Strategy | New coaching staff, new scouting, young raiders & defenders |
| Performance | Finished 3rd (as per your info) |
| Best Moments | High-quality Kabaddi in offense & defense |
| Coach Credit | Krishan Kumar Hooda for instilling self-belief |
| Leadership | Captain Vijay Malik’s instincts praised |
| CEO Statement | Trinadh Reddy praised team environment & discipline |
3. Best Seasons in Titans History
| Rank | Season | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Season 4 | Most complete team, playoffs, dominant home leg, Rahul at peak |
| 2 | Season 3 | Consistent winning, strong defense, semifinal appearance |
| 3 | Season 2 | First-ever semifinal, strong raiding unit |
4. Worst Seasons in Titans History
| Rank | Season | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Season 9 | Only 2 wins, worst record in PKL history |
| 2 | Season 8 | No combinations, heavy losses, defensive failures |
| 3 | Season 10 / Season 7 | Huge money spent but poor returns, lack of balance |
5. Best Moments (Provided)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Recent Achievement | Season 12: Finished 3rd |
| Performance Rating | Exceptional offense & defense |
| Coaching Impact | Krishan Kumar Hooda – self-belief & freedom |
| Leadership Highlight | Captain Vijay Malik’s tactical instincts |
| Management Appreciation | CEO Trinadh Reddy praised team culture |
| Popularity Status | One of PKL’s most popular franchises |
Telugu Titans Social Media Profile:
Telugu Titans have amazing fan following on social media with 469k Followers on Instagram.
Telugu Titans Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/telugu_titans
Overall Telugu Titans played an amazing Kabaddi and Credit should be given to them for the way, they overcame all odds in last season and came up with new revamp concept in Season 12.
