Tamil Nadu’s dream seven

The Tamil Thalaivas came a cropper in the Pro Kabaddi League this season. The team, making its debut in the league this year, finished at the bottom of its zone and failed to qualify for the ‘Super Playoffs’. 

But at the same time, there are many Tamil Nadu players spread across other teams in the Pro Kabaddi League which makes many wonder whether the state has had its best seven for Tamil Thalaivas. There has been a minimum of three players from the state making it to the starting line-up in most of the encounters for them. 

However, it is a far cry from the Dream Seven which is a possibility in the future when fresh auction takes place. Seasoned campaigner and the current Tamil Thalaivas coach Kasinathan Baskaran would be an automatic choice to take charge of the team. 

The former Asian Games gold medallist has had the experience of making it count on big occasions such as 2014 Beach Asian Games and 2016 Kabaddi World Cup. As far as PKL is concerned, he led Jaipur Pink Panthers to its title in the inaugural edition and has also guided Puneri Paltan to a playoff finish in Season 4.  

“To have seven players start from our state, there has to be quality young talent as well. I am now in the process of grooming a few of those. Maybe in the upcoming editions, we might have a go at that option”, said Baskaran when asked how he would view his role in the Dream Seven.  

Puneri Paltan’s Dharmaraj Cheralathan would be the first to make the cut to this side which lacks a bit of experience. The 42-year-old corner defender served as an integral component of the 2016 PKL title winners Patna Pirates before which he was with Bengaluru Bulls and Telugu Titans. 

Selvamani K will shoulder the responsibility of being the lead raider for the team. The Salem-born raider was picked up by Jaipur Pink Panthers at the auction for a staggering price of Rs 73 lakh. Selvamani will be ably supported by Tamil Thalaivas’ Prapanjan, who was earlier with U Mumba under Anup Kumar. He has had a below par season after producing some stellar performances in the first few outings.  

“It depends on the strategy of the coach. He will decide who will feature in the starting seven. It would be a dream to have all seven players from our state in the line-up. As we have practised together a lot, we would also be aware of our strengths and weaknesses and moreover there won’t be any communication barrier”, said Prapanjan when asked about how it would be to have such a line-up. 

Gujarat Fortunegiants’ Chandran Ranjit will provide the much-needed shape in the do or die raids to a three-dimensional attack. In the absence of his skipper Sukesh Hegde, he played a vital role this season with an average of five raid points in ten encounters thus far. 

Having represented Jaipur Pink Panthers in the previous edition, C Arun will slot in to the role of left cover with Jeeva Kumar pitted at right cover position. The former U Mumba defender had the distinction of completing 150 overall tackle points this season. Playing only in his debut season, Pradap D will fill in at left corner. With no other proper defender from Tamil Nadu in that position, he could just prove to be an odd man out in a defensive unit which boasts of stalwarts like Cheralathan and Jeeva Kumar. 

Strengths: The experience of Jeeva Kumar and Dharmaraj Cheralathan will come in handy in crunch situations. Blend of youth and experience might work wonders for the team in the defensive front 

Weaknesses: The team lacks an experienced player in the raiding department with all of them in their 20s 

Starting seven: Dharmaraj Cheralathan (Right corner), Prapanjan (Right in), Jeeva Kumar (Right cover), Selvamani (Raider), C Arun (Left cover), Chandran Ranjit (Left in), Pradap (Left corner) 

Coach: K Baskaran