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Jaipur Pink Panthers, champions of the inaugural season of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi are in a do-or-die situation now. Last year champions are in 6th place with 21 points in 9 matches. They have managed to win only 3 matches so far and drawing against Telugu Titans while losing the rest.
However, team coach Kasinathan Bhaskaran is confident that the team will qualify for the semifinal. While speaking to SportsKeeda, Bhaskaran accepted that in the beginning, the team was searching for the right combination, which, according to him, they now have.
“In the beginning we were searching for the right combination for first 7, and now we have foung the perfect combination. We also had some new players like Sonu Narwal and Kuldeep (Singh) who are now playing at their best. We are confident that Jaipur Pink Panthers will reach to the semi-finals,” K. Bhaskaran said.
He admitted that the team’s confidence stems from the fact that they broke U Mumba’s winning run.
“All the players are confident after the victory against undefeated U Mumba. Yes, we are in do or die situation and have to win every game now to reach in the semi-finals. In the start of the tournament, our strategies failed, but now we have a successful strategy,” he admitted.
Bhaskaran confirms non-inclusion of foreigners
As per the coach, Jaipur Pink Panthers are not looking to try any new players in their playing 7 for the next matches and also dismissed the speculation surrounding the inclusion of foreign players in the squad.
“We played really good against Telugu Titans, where we covered a 12-point lead and led by 5 points at the end, but accidentally we lost the lead in the last 2 minutes. We played very well against U Mumba. Our new raider Sonu Narwal and complete defence including Kuldeep, Rohit Rana, Ran Singh all are in form now.
“Foreign players do not have the match fitness as they joined us just before the start of the tournament. Right now, we are not looking to give any opportunity to them at such a crucial stage. Team owner actor Abhishek Bachchan is also happy with the way the team is playing now.”
He concluded with a warning message for all the 5 teams they are to play for the rest of the tournament.
“We have all 5 do-or-die matches left and will surely give a tough competition to all the teams now. All the 5 teams are tough, but we will inflict damage on all the teams now. We played against them before, so we know their winning pattern,” he concluded.
