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Tamil Thalaivas have officially named defender Sagar as their captain for the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 11. The announcement follows the franchise’s decision to retain the defender for another season, highlighting the importance of his leadership role in the Chennai-based team.
Sagar, a Rohtak-born defender, captained the Thalaivas in the previous edition. Unfortunately, he missed six matches due to injury, which saw the team rely on vice-captains Ajinkya Pawar and Sahil Gulia to step up in his absence.
Despite the setback, his contributions remained significant, finishing the season with 67 points, which shows his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations.
Sagar’s impressive statistics
Over recent seasons, Sagar has been a key figure in the Tamil Thalaivas' setup. In PKL Season 9, he played a crucial role in guiding the team to the semi-finals despite the early-season injury to star raider and captain Pawan Sehrawat.
His presence was instrumental in stabilizing the defense and ensuring the team remained competitive despite losing a key player.
The defender's performance in PKL Season 10, despite missing a few games due to injury, speaks volumes about his prowess. In 18 matches, he accumulated 67 points, achieving 5 Super Tackles and 6 High 5s. His average of 3.67 successful tackles per match, with a tackle success rate of 59%, reflected his consistency.
Since his debut in Season 7, the Rohtak-born defender has consistently delivered for the Thalaivas, with his best season coming in PKL 8 when he notched up 82 tackle points. Overall, he has played 70 matches, securing 223 tackle points with a tackle success rate of 53%.
New signings and strengthened squad
The franchise recently strengthened its coaching staff, appointing Udaya Kumar as the head coach and Dharmaraj Cheralathan as the strategy coach, marking the first time a PKL team has introduced a dual-coaching system. This move indicates the Thalaivas' intention to bring a fresh approach to their campaign.
The PKL 2024 auction saw the Thalaivas secure raider Sachin Tanwar for a staggering ₹2.15 crore, making him the second-most expensive Indian player in PKL history. Sachin will serve as co-vice-captain alongside Sagar, sharing leadership duties with Sahil Gulia. This addition strengthens the squad’s offensive and defensive lineup for the season ahead.
The team’s squad includes raiders Vishal Chahal and Sachin Tanwar, defenders like Nitesh Kumar and Amirhossein Bastami, and all-rounders like Moein Safaghi, giving them a balanced lineup ahead of the new season.
With Sagar at the helm, Tamil Thalaivas will be gearing up for a promising campaign in PKL Season 11.
