Pro Kabaddi League 2018, Season 6: 5 players who have disappointed with the Tamil Thalaivas

The Thalaivas finished last from the previous season. What can they do different this time?
The Thalaivas finished last from the previous season. What can they do different this time?

Tamil Thalaivas made their debut in the previous edition of the Pro Kabaddi League under the tutelage of the experienced Ajay Thakur. However, it was not a season to remember for the franchise as they finished rock-bottom from Zone 'B', with just six wins from 22 matches.

With a new season approaching, the Thalaivas will hope to see a reversal in fortunes under Thakur, who was retained ahead of the auctions along with right corner defender Amit Hooda.

From the auctions, the Thalaivas made some promising buys and infused a lot of experience into the team through the additions of Manjeet Chhillar, Jasvir Singh and Sukesh Hegde, who are all match-winners by their own right. Other exciting players include the likes of Darshan J, C Arun who had a good run last season.

Although the Thalaivas played just their debut season last time around, there were a few players who did not enjoy a good run. Here are five such men, who could have performed better.


#5 Sanket Chavan

Chavan played for the Thalaivas
Chavan played for the Thalaivas

A left corner defender known for his precise ankle holds and dashes, Sanket Chavan looked all out of sorts during his stint with the Tamil Thalaivas for season five of the league.

Chavan, who made his debut with Dabang Delhi in the fourth season of the league could not find his footing in the fifth season as he managed to pick just 4 points from 7 matches, to finish with a successful tackle percentage of 26.66% as he picked those 4 points from 15 tackles attempted.

Those numbers certainly do not paint a pretty picture but that was what transpired as the bulky defender was a little too hasty in his approach and paid the price. For season six, he will be turning out for Dabang Delhi but will face competition for a place in the side which is led by Joginder Narwal, who is a left corner defender himself.

#4 Vijin Thangadurai

Thanagadurai had a woeful season with the Thalaivas
Thanagadurai had a woeful season with the Thalaivas

Vijin Thangadurai, who hails from the southern state of Tamil Nadu is a right cover defender who started his career with the Bengal Warriors in the second season of the league. He continued there for another season before moving to the Pirates for season four.

In season five, Thagadurai's services were snapped up by the Tamil Thalaivas but the defender had a woeful season, picking up 4 points from his 12 appearances on the mat as he made a total of 23 tackles.

#3 Anil Kumar

Anil Kumar was a part of the defense unit
Anil Kumar was a part of the
defense
unit

A left corner defender, Anil Kumar was often shuffling places with Sanket Chavan to stake a place in the team but when given the chance to play, the 27-year old could not stamp his authority.

From 5 appearances and 14 tackles, Anil managed to pick just 2 points which saw him fade away as the season progressed, unable to make a mark with his string of poor performances.

For season six, Anil Kumar will be turning out for Dabang Delhi under Joginder Narwal.

#2 Vijay Kumar

Vijay Kumar had just one good outing
Vijay Kumar had just one good outing

One amongst the host of left corner defenders at the Thalaivas, the lanky defender made appearances for the Thalaivas in just eight matches, where he could manage to pick just six points as he failed to make an impression.

Three of those points came in one match while the other three came across seven other appearances. Overall, from 12 tackles and 3 raids, Vijay picked only 6 points as he finished with almost nothing to show.

#1 D Pradap

Pradap (second from left)
Pradap (second from left)

The 22-year old all-rounder, better known for his defensive skills did not have a great outing on the raiding front as he managed to pick just 9 points from 49 raids as he finished with a lowly 12.24% of successful raids.

On the defensive front, Pradap had a better outing as he picked a total of 20 points from 43 matches, finishing with a total of 44.18% of successful tackles.

For the upcoming season, the Thalaivas opted to retain faith in their allrounder as he will turn out for the Ajay Thakur-led side for the second season in a row.

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