Tamil Thalaivas PKL 12 Auction Strategy

The Tamil Thalaivas are gearing up for the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 with high hopes after a disappointing performance in PKL 11. Finishing ninth with only eight wins, 13 losses, and one tie, the Chennai-based team struggled with inconsistency last season. Despite spending a record-breaking INR 2.15 crore on star raider Sachin Tanwar in the PKL 11 auction, the team failed to deliver consistent results. For the PKL 12 auction, Tamil Thalaivas have made bold moves by releasing key players like Sachin and focusing on a fresh strategy.

A Disappointing PKL 11 Sparks a Rebuild

Tamil Thalaivas had a tough time in PKL 11, finishing ninth in the points table. Despite high expectations after signing Sachin Tanwar for INR 2.15 crore, the team couldn’t find the consistency needed to reach the playoffs. Their star players, including Sachin, struggled to perform regularly, and the team’s defense lacked leadership. As a result, the Thalaivas decided to release Sachin and other key players ahead of the PKL 12 auction, freeing up a large salary purse to rebuild the squad.

Additionally, Tamil Thalaivas parted ways with their coaching duo, J. Udayakumar and Dharmaraj Cheralathan, and appointed Sanjeev Baliyan as the new head coach. With a fresh coaching setup and a focus on addressing key weaknesses, the Thalaivas are ready to make smart moves in the PKL 12 auction, scheduled for May 31 and June 1, 2025, in Mumbai. Their goal is clear: build a balanced team that can compete for the PKL 12 title.

Retaining the Young Brigade

Tamil Thalaivas have chosen to retain their young core, including players like Narender Kandola, Sagar Rathee, Sahil Gulia, and M. Abishek, who showed promise in previous seasons. Narender, a talented raider, has scored 429 raid points in two seasons, while Sagar and Sahil were among the top 10 defenders in PKL 11 with 66 and 69 tackle points, respectively. These retentions provide a solid foundation for the team, allowing them to focus on adding experienced players in the auction.

By keeping their young players, Tamil Thalaivas ensure continuity and energy in the squad. However, the team needs experienced leaders to guide these youngsters and address the inconsistencies that plagued them last season. With a large salary purse after releasing Sachin Tanwar, the Thalaivas have the financial power to target star players in the PKL 12 auction.

Investing in a Star Raider

One of the biggest lessons from PKL 11 was the Tamil Thalaivas’ over-reliance on Sachin Tanwar in the raiding department. The team’s philosophy last season was that a strong attack is the best defense, but Sachin’s inconsistent performance left a gap in their raiding unit. By releasing him, the Thalaivas have opened up opportunities to target a new star raider who can lead the attack and inspire the team.

The PKL 12 auction features several top raiders, including Pawan Sehrawat, Arjun Deshwal, Ashu Malik, and Naveen Kumar. Pawan Sehrawat, with 1,318 raid points in 139 matches, is a proven game-changer who led Tamil Thalaivas in PKL 9 before moving to Telugu Titans. Arjun Deshwal, with 1,174 raid points in 114 matches, is another strong option, known for his clutch performances with Jaipur Pink Panthers. Ashu Malik, who scored 262 raid points in PKL 11, brings speed and reliability. However, Naveen Kumar stands out as a top target for the Thalaivas, and we’ll explore why later in this article.

Depending on their budget, Tamil Thalaivas are likely to invest heavily in one or two raiders to create a formidable attacking unit. A star raider will not only score points but also reduce the pressure on Narender Kandola and other young raiders like Vishal Chahal. This strategy will help the Thalaivas maintain a balanced attack and avoid the inconsistency of last season.

Prioritizing a High-Profile Defender

While raiding was a challenge in PKL 11, the Tamil Thalaivas’ defense also lacked a calm and experienced leader to guide the unit. Sagar Rathee and Sahil Gulia performed well, but the team struggled when key defenders were unavailable or out of form. To address this, the Thalaivas are likely to target a high-profile defender in the PKL 12 auction to anchor their defensive line.

Two Iranian powerhouses, Mohammadreza Shadloui and Fazel Atrachali, are expected to be top targets. Shadloui, who was named the best defender in two of the last three PKL seasons, brings versatility as an all-rounder with 97 tackle points in PKL 10. Fazel Atrachali, with 545 tackle points in his career, is the most expensive defender in PKL history and a proven leader. Both players will attract strong bids from teams like Haryana Steelers and Bengal Warriorz, but Tamil Thalaivas have the budget to compete for one of them.

A high-profile defender like Shadloui or Atrachali would provide the leadership and composure needed to keep opposition raiders in check. They would also mentor young defenders like Sagar, Sahil, and M. Abishek, helping the Thalaivas build a strong and reliable defensive unit for PKL 12.

Why Naveen Kumar is a Top Target

Among the star raiders available in the PKL 12 auction, Naveen Kumar, known as the “Naveen Express,” is a prime target for Tamil Thalaivas. Released by Dabang Delhi as part of their squad overhaul, Naveen brings a wealth of experience with 1,102 raid points in 107 matches. As the former captain of Dabang Delhi, he led the team to their only PKL title in Season 8 and has consistently guided them to the playoffs.

Naveen’s quick footwork, composure under pressure, and leadership make him an ideal fit for Tamil Thalaivas. Despite struggling with injuries in recent seasons, he still managed to score 100 raid points in 16 matches in PKL 11 and led Dabang Delhi to the semi-finals. His ability to unite the team and perform in tight situations is exactly what the Thalaivas need to overcome their inconsistency.

With a large salary purse, Tamil Thalaivas could make a strong bid for Naveen in the PKL 12 auction. Pairing him with Narender Kandola would create a dynamic raiding duo, with Naveen’s experience complementing Narender’s energy. This combination could make the Thalaivas’ attack one of the most dangerous in the league.

Building Depth and Balance

In addition to targeting a star raider and a high-profile defender, Tamil Thalaivas need to focus on building depth in their squad. Injuries and form slumps can disrupt a team’s performance, as seen with Sagar Rathee’s absence in PKL 11. To avoid this, the Thalaivas should invest in quality backup players in both raiding and defense.

For raiding, players like Vishal Chahal, who scored 34 raid points in his debut season, and Nitin Singh can provide support. The Thalaivas could also target a young raider like Devank Dalal, who earned the Best Raider award in PKL 11 with 301 raid points, to add depth. In defense, players like Nitesh Kumar or Amirhossein Bastami, who were part of the PKL 11 squad, can step up as backups. Adding one or two experienced defenders will ensure the team has options during tough matches.

Challenges in the PKL 12 Auction

The PKL 12 auction will be highly competitive, with top players like Pawan Sehrawat, Naveen Kumar, Mohammadreza Shadloui, and Fazel Atrachali attracting bids from multiple teams. Franchises like Telugu Titans, Bengaluru Bulls, and Patna Pirates will also have large salary purses, making it challenging for Tamil Thalaivas to secure their top targets. The risk of overspending on a single player, as seen with Sachin Tanwar in PKL 11, is another concern.

However, with a smart strategy and the guidance of new coach Sanjeev Baliyan, Tamil Thalaivas can navigate these challenges. By balancing their budget between a star raider, a high-profile defender, and quality backups, the Thalaivas can build a well-rounded squad for PKL 12.

Tamil Thalaivas are entering the PKL 12 auction with a clear plan to address their weaknesses from Season 11. By releasing Sachin Tanwar, they have freed up funds to target a star raider like Naveen Kumar, Pawan Sehrawat, or Arjun Deshwal to lead their attack. A high-profile defender like Mohammadreza Shadloui or Fazel Atrachali is a priority to strengthen their defense and provide leadership. With a young core of players like Narender Kandola, Sagar Rathee, and Sahil Gulia already retained, the Thalaivas have a strong foundation to build upon.

The PKL 12 auction, set for May 31 and June 1, 2025, in Mumbai, is a chance for Tamil Thalaivas to create a balanced and competitive team. With new coach Sanjeev Baliyan at the helm, the Thalaivas are ready to shed their inconsistency and make a strong push for the playoffs. Will they secure Naveen Kumar and a top defender to transform their fortunes? Fans are eagerly waiting to find out as the Thalaivas aim for glory in Pro Kabaddi League Season 12.

FAQs

1. Why did Tamil Thalaivas release Sachin Tanwar for the PKL 12 auction?

Tamil Thalaivas released Sachin Tanwar due to his inconsistent performance in PKL 11 and his high price tag of INR 2.15 crore, freeing up their salary purse to target new star players.

2. Who are Tamil Thalaivas’ top targets in the PKL 12 auction?

Tamil Thalaivas are likely to target star raiders like Naveen Kumar, Pawan Sehrawat, or Arjun Deshwal and high-profile defenders like Mohammadreza Shadloui or Fazel Atrachali.

3. How will Tamil Thalaivas address their inconsistency in PKL 12?

Tamil Thalaivas plan to address their inconsistency by signing a star raider and a high-profile defender to lead their young squad, while adding depth with quality backup players.