Ranjit pleasantly surprised at being named Gujarat captain

BENGALURU: Chandran Ranjit revealed that he could not believe his eyes when he was handed the Gujarat Giants captain’s armband just a few hours before the team’s Pro Kabaddi League pre-season press conference in Ahmedabad on October 2.

Ranjit reported to the media interaction venue – a plush hotel – along with three teammates, because he was asked to by the Gujarat management. But, the Tamil Nadu raider had no clue that he was being called to fulfil his media duties as captain. With just a couple of hours to go for the presser, the Giants coaches – head coach Ram Mehar Singh and assistant coach MV Sundaram – broke the news to him.

“Enakkae theriyadhu naa dhan captain nu (Even I did not know that I was going to be appointed the captain). Enakkae late ah dhan sonnanga (I was told only at the last moment),” said Ranjit. “Four players, including me, went to the hotel. I was then told that I would be the captain this season,” added Ranjit.

“I understand Hindi, but I do not speak much in that language. So, Ram Mehar sir and Sundaram sir have been helping me to effectively communicate with my teammates. Whenever I have a doubt, I clarify it with Sundaram sir. As one of the senior players, Prashanth Kumar Rai (reserve player in the Gujarat squad) speaks to me, in Tamil.”

Ranjit made his Pro Kabaddi captaincy debut against Tamil Thalaivas here on Saturday, a match in which the two teams split the points after a thrilling 31-31 tie. “I was nervous (he scored five points). The head coach has asked me to play with a free mind in the coming matches,” Ranjit said.

According to Ranjit, the Gujarat team is going the extra mile in a bid to secure the franchise’s maiden PKL crown. “I have played under Ram Mehar sir in the India camp. We are concentrating a lot on our fitness. We practise more when compared to the other teams. We train for six hours a day – three hours in the morning and the rest in the evening.

“I finished as runner-up in two seasons (with Gujarat in 2017 and with Dabang Delhi in 2019). I will take all the steps to make Giants the champion,” Ranjit signed off.