Team Talk: Tamil Thalaivas look to make experience count

Tamil Thalaivas put up a brave fight throughout their debut campaign in VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 5 but fell short of reaching the Super Playoffs stage. The team had some brilliant young talent which included defender Darshan J, who scored 40 Tackle Points in just his debut season, and D Pradap who was able to rescue the team from All-Out situations on multiple occasions by showcasing some good all-round ability when the seniors were off the mat.

For Season 6, Thalaivas have added much more experience to their fold via the highly decorated veteran duo of Manjeet Chhillar and Jasvir Singh along with Surjeet Singh and Sukesh Hegde. This new combination will definitely elevate the gameplay of their young brigade, giving them the chance to learn from some of the best. The team from Chennai would firmly position themselves among the favourites of the season.

Team Highlights

Never say die attitude

Tamil Thalaivas have become known in their debut campaign as a team that is willing to fight till the end for each and every point. With captain Ajay Thakur being in the front and centre of their campaign, the Thalaivas have, on multiple occasions, gone from having a big deficit in the game to managing a win in the last raid. This spirit that the team plays with makes them a very tricky opposition to deal with. The added experience that players like Manjeet Chhillar and Jasvir Singh bring into the side will only strengthen this resolve further.

Stellar mix of youth and experience

The Tamil Thalaivas team have one of the best combinations of young blood and experienced wisdom in the league. After adding players like ‘One Man Army’ Manjeet Chhillar, Jasvir Singh and Sukesh Hegde to a line up already boasting of Ajay Thakur and Amit Hooda the Thalaivas have ensured that the young legs of D. Pradap, C. Arun, Darshan J have ample backing and seasoned mentors who can guide them through the season. A team with two Arjuna awardees and the hero of the 2016 World Cup winning Indian team is definitely one to watch out for.

Stating Stats

Wins – 6

Draws – 2

Losses – 14

Total points scored – 681 (59.47% from Raid Points and 29.51% from Tackle Points)

Total points conceded – 752

All-Outs inflicted – 19

Most Successful Raider - Ajay Thakur with 213 Raid Points (Season 5 – Current)

Most Successful Defender - Amit Hooda with 61 Tackle Points (Season 5 - Current)

Form Guide

1. Tamil Thalaivas won 6 of their 22 games in Season 5 and managed 46 points in the league

2. All of the Thalaivas’ 6 victories came in away games

3. Tamil Thalaivas’ captain Ajay Thakur was Season 5’s third most successful raider with 213 Raid Points

4. ‘One Man Army’ Manjeet Chhillar, who joined the Thalaivas in Season 5, is the most successful defender in the history of VIVO Pro Kabaddi.

5. Three of the six Tamil Thalaivas victories in Season 5 have been by a margin of a single point and have been sealed in the closing seconds of the game.