As the preparations for Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 11 step up, Tamil Thalaivas have bolstered their squad with the addition of raiders Masanamuthu Lakshanan and Chandran Ranjith. Both players, who went unsold during the recent Pro Kabaddi auction, have been welcomed to the team as the Thalaivas aim to make a strong impact this season.
Chandran Ranjith, who was previously with Haryana Steelers, had a limited role in PKL Season 10, featuring in just four matches. Despite his limited playtime, Ranjith demonstrated his skill with 31 raid points with an average of 7.75 raid points per game, maintaining a respectable performance.
Meanwhile, Masanamuthu, who made his PKL debut with the Thalaivas in Season 10, will also return to the side after a brief release from the team.
Chandran Ranjith's PKL journey
Chandran Ranjith is no stranger to the Pro Kabaddi League, having played 104 matches across multiple seasons. With 562 points to his name, Ranjith has established himself as a reliable raider, boasting an average of 5.13 raid points per match.
Despite being released by Haryana Steelers ahead of the Season 11 auction, Tamil Thalaivas seem to have seen potential in Ranjith and decided to bring him into their setup.
During Pro Kabaddi Season 10, Ranjith played only four matches but managed to rack up 31 raid points, with an average of 7.75 points per game. His attacking stats include a 43% success rate in raids, with one Super 10 and one Super Raid, indicating his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations.
Over the course of his career, Ranjith has accumulated 534 raid points, achieving a 37% success rate in his 1,130 raids.
Masanamuthu's return to Tamil Thalaivas
Masanamuthu Lakshanan, a young and promising right raider, made his debut in PKL Season 10 with Tamil Thalaivas.
However, his impact was limited, with just four matches under his belt and eight raid points scored in total. He averaged two raid points per match and completed 15 raids with a 47% success rate. Despite going unsold in the PKL 11 auction, the Thalaivas have brought him back into their squad, indicating their faith in his potential to grow as a key player.
With the addition of these two raiders, Tamil Thalaivas are looking to enhance their attacking options as they prepare for the challenges of Season 11.
Earlier, the team had already named defender Sagar as their captain, along with appointing a new coaching setup. This mix of experienced and young talent gives Tamil Thalaivas a well-rounded squad that could make a strong run in the upcoming season.