Gujarat Giants bring in the ‘Chanakya of Kabaddi’ to chase a PKL title

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.