Pro Kabaddi is going to move into its fourth season in just over a fortnight and no one knows that better than the teams, who are already underway with their preparations for the game. Three editions of the competition have been played and each has had a different winner, showing clearly that there are no favourites. One team that surely knows that is Dabang Delhi KC, who will be looking to win their maiden title and their coach Sagar Bandekar definitely thinks so.
Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda, Bandekar talked about how his team’s preparations are going and regarding the plans for the upcoming season. Dabang Delhi have not enjoyed a good run in Pro Kabaddi journey till now, finishing in the bottom half of the table in all three seasons. However, the newly appointed coach believes that the players in his team are working really hard and they are surely going to perform well.
“This season’s Dabang Delhi team is quite young and they are working really hard to get going. I see a lot of hunger in them and the preparation is really good. We are confident of a good show this time,” he said over the phone in a confident and emphatic tone. Bandekar, a seasoned kabaddi coach, could just be what Dabang Delhi need this season to win the title and more importantly, play well.
When a team finishes in the lower half of the table consistently, there are bound to be questions raised in terms of tactics or the quality of the squad. Bandekar admits that the team has not played the best of kabaddi in the previous seasons but believes there is no reason why that should affect their mentality for this time. He spoke about the balance in the squad and how it will prove to be their biggest strength this season.
He also spoke about how tough the league is and the quality in other teams, but was optimistic of his team’s chances in the tournament. “We will win season 4 of Pro Kabaddi. The league is highly competitive and there are no two ways about it. You have to play quality kabaddi or else be prepared to lose. The scope of error is quite less and small mistakes can cost you an entire game. In addition, the other teams are incredibly talent and all have potential to go the distance.”
“We know we did not perform so well in the last three seasons but we will surely turn that around this season. I am able to see the hunger in these boys and they will surely deliver,” he said.
One man who will need to be firing on all cylinders if Dabang Delhi are to win the title is star raider Kashiling Adake, who will challenge to be the number one raider in the tournament, according to coach Bandekar. “Kashiling Adake is exceptionally talented and I have coached him previously as well. He will surely be the best raider in Pro Kabaddi Season 4.
“The presence of experienced people like Meraj Sheykh and Deepak Narwal is going to help us further. Like I said, there is tremendous balance in the squad and it will be huge.”
Bandekar is one of the oldest coaches in the Indian kabaddi circuit and has been a part of it for long. His association with the Mahindra & Mahindra Kabaddi club is well known and he stands out due to his exceptional body of knowledge. A passionate man, he feels quite strongly about the sport and expressed how he thinks kabaddi has become a family sport that people love.
“I feel that everyone watches Pro Kabaddi and a lot of parents across the country want their children to play in the tournament. The support we get from Star Sports is amazing and how the system has backed us is really extraordinary. Kabaddi is lucky to have got national level recognition in the best possible manner,” he said.
From the sound of the coach’s voice and his conviction, Dabang Delhi seem to be in pretty good health. The additions to their squads are excellent and should players like Adake and Sheykh come good, Dabang Delhi will be a force to reckon with.
