Sports
Gujarat Giants bring in the ‘Chanakya of Kabaddi’ to chase a PKL title
Randhir Singh Sehrawat, one of the most decorated coaches in the league’s history, takes charge ahead of the 2026 season
GUJARAT: Gujarat Giants mean business. Adani Sportsline has appointed Randhir Singh Sehrawat as head coach of the franchise ahead of the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League season, bringing in one of the sport’s most experienced tactical minds to end the team’s wait for a championship.
Sehrawat is no stranger to the PKL. The Arjuna Award recipient has been associated with the league since its founding in 2014, and his credentials are formidable: a PKL title in Season 6 and six playoff appearances during his coaching career. Away from the franchise circuit, he also led the Indian Railways Kabaddi Team, steering both the men’s and women’s sides to multiple national championship titles.
As a player, Sehrawat represented India at the highest level, competing in the Asian Kabaddi Championship in 1988, the South Asian Games in 1989, and the 1990 Asian Games, where he served as vice-captain of the gold medal-winning Indian team.
Sehrawat was characteristically direct about his ambitions. “Gujarat Giants has a strong mix of young talent and experienced players, and I look forward to working with the team as we aim for the title,” he said.
Sanjay Adesara, chief business officer of Adani Sportsline, was equally bullish, saying Sehrawat’s “deep understanding of the sport will be invaluable in developing the squad.”
The bar is set by Dabang Delhi KC, who were crowned PKL Season 12 champions after a thrilling 31-28 victory over Puneri Paltan. It was their second title, with Fazel Atrachali cementing his place as the most successful foreigner in PKL history along the way.
The Chanakya has his assignment. Now he must deliver.
Sports
After Virat Kohli’s exit, One8 Commune Bengaluru shuts down
Outlet near Chinnaswamy closes amid rent row, compliance issues mount
BENGALURU: The One8 Commune outlet near M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has shut down following a court order, bringing a turbulent chapter for the high-profile dining destination to a close.
The immediate trigger was a legal dispute over unpaid dues. The outlet, operated by Trio Hills Hospitality, had reportedly defaulted on rent payments for nearly six months. Including maintenance charges and revenue share commitments, the outstanding amount is said to have crossed Rs 2 crore. A Bengaluru civil court subsequently directed the closure of the premises until all financial obligations are cleared.
The shutdown comes months after Virat Kohli, whose brand name lent the outlet its identity, had already distanced himself from the Bengaluru franchise. According to reports, concerns around repeated compliance-related issues prompted his team to withdraw the association. The removal of the One8 branding is believed to have impacted footfall, further straining the business.
The outlet had also faced regulatory scrutiny over the years. In 2024, authorities booked the establishment for operating beyond the 1:00 am curfew. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike had issued notices over missing fire safety clearances, while an FIR was filed for violating tobacco regulations by not providing a designated smoking zone under applicable laws.
In response to the closure, the brand maintained that the issue stemmed from building-level compliance responsibilities linked to the property owner rather than operational lapses on its part. It also denied that financial default was the primary reason, reiterating that customer safety remained a priority.
For now, the shutters remain down. While a reopening is theoretically possible if disputes are resolved, the absence of Kohli’s brand association makes a return under the One8 banner increasingly unlikely.
