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Tamil Thalaivas are gearing up for the 11th edition of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). They will enter the season with a new hope after a disappointing performance last time around. The Thalaivas entered the semi-finals in season 9 but could not carry the momentum in season 10.
With a dual-coach system adopted this time, in addition to some key acquisitions made at the player auction, Tamil Thalaivas seem to be preparing well.
The Thalaivas have bolstered their squad with the inclusion of a few key players while also retaining some of their core players from last season.
Udaya Kumar serves as the head coach and Dharmaraj Cheralathan, a former PKL champion, will be their strategy coach. Together, they will aim to bring fresh energy and tactical acumen to the Tamil Thalaivas camp as they set their sights on playoff qualification and, ultimately, their first PKL title.
Here is a look at their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats ahead of the PKL season 11.
Pro Kabaddi 2024: Tamil Thalaivas' SWOT Analysis
Strengths
One of the biggest advantages for Tamil Thalaivas in Season 11 is the retention of their core players. The team has managed to keep their top raider, Narender, who has scored an impressive 429 raid points in just two seasons. Alongside him, the team has retained key defenders like Sagar, M. Abishek, and Sahil Gulia.
The acquisition of Sachin, who became the most expensive player in the Season 11 auction at INR 2.15 crores, strengthens Tamil Thalaivas’ raiding lineup significantly. Sachin, with 952 raid points in his PKL career, is also the league's all-time leader in do-or-die raid points (233). The raiding unit will also benefit from backup raiders like Vishal Chahal and Chandran Ranjit, making them a formidable force.
Sahil Gulia and Sagar, who ranked among the top 10 defenders last season with 69 and 66 tackle points, respectively, will again be instrumental in keeping the opposition in check. With a largely unchanged defensive core, the Thalaivas will look to build on their stability.
Weaknesses
Despite having a strong defense, Tamil Thalaivas might find themselves vulnerable if their star defenders, Sahil Gulia or Sagar, suffer an injury or a dip in form. Sagar’s absence due to injury in a few games last season affected the team’s balance. Backup defenders such as M. Abishek, Himanshu, and Mohit will need to step up in such situations to avoid similar issues this year.
Another area of concern is the lack of an experienced all-rounder. Moein Safaghi, an Iranian all-rounder, is their only option in this role. However, he is yet to make his PKL debut. The absence of a proven all-rounder could affect the team’s balance, especially if one of their key players is unavailable due to injuries.
Opportunities
One of the most exciting opportunities for Tamil Thalaivas this season is seeing Sachin cross the 1000-raid point milestone in PKL. He is just 48 points away from achieving this feat. The combination of Sachin and Narender is expected to strengthen the team’s raiding prowess significantly.
The Tamil Thalaivas’ decision to implement a dual-coach system with Udaya Kumar as the head coach and Dharmaraj Cheralathan as strategy coach adds a unique dimension to their management. This collaboration could offer the team fresh insights and innovative strategies, potentially helping them outperform teams with a more traditional coaching setup.
The presence of young raiders like Vishal Chahal, who impressed last season (his debut) with 34 raid points, and seasoned campaigners like Chandran Ranjit (534 raid points in PKL), gives the team a solid mix of youth and experience.
Threats
With Sachin and Narender leading the raiding department, there is a risk of overreliance on these two players for raid points. If either of them gets injured or has an off day, the team may struggle. The backup raiders will need to be prepared to fill in effectively in such scenarios.
Moein Safaghi is the team’s only all-rounder, and his lack of PKL experience may become a concern. Should the team need additional support on either end of the mat, having a more experienced all-rounder could have provided better balance. If Safaghi fails to perform, the Thalaivas may need to rely on tactical adjustments to cover this gap.
