PKL format changes get the approval of coaches

The significant format changes introduced for Season 12 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) got a vote of approval from Haryana Steelers’ Manpreet Singh. The defending champion’s head coach believes that all teams will now have a greater chance at making the playoffs.

“As a league gets bigger, such format revisions almost become a necessity. I think the changes are great. Teams that lag behind have a chance till the very end to make a comeback and keep fighting for the title. Compared to the past seasons, I think this one is going to be great because the game and those who play it have gotten faster. Fitness standards are incredible, and preparations have been going quite well,” he said in a media interaction.

Manpreet’s sentiments were echoed by his Patna Pirates counterpart Anup Kumar, who added that teams can now adjust to injury woes much better going forward.

Patna Pirates’ head coach Anup Kumar.
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Special Arrangement

“The new rules have also allowed two more teams to progress in the tournament. Sometimes, if main players get injured and performances dip, especially during crucial phases of the league stage, teams sometimes miss out on qualifying. This additional opportunity of including two teams in the knockout bracket will give much relief to teams,” he said.

Among the big talking points heading into the new season is B.C. Ramesh’s move to Bengaluru Bulls, which parted ways with Randhir Singh Sehrawat, a seasoned coach who was with the side since the inaugural season and led it to the playoffs six times, winning the title once.

‘Big responsibility’

“There’s a lot of pressure on me. Everyone has the same hope that they had from previous teams — they think this team will also perform the same way. I have a big responsibility now as the coach of Bengaluru Bulls. Last year’s performance was very poor, which is why we created a new team with a different strategy.”