Pro Kabaddi: Puneri Paltan coach believes team will return stronger in season 3

A dejected looking Puneri Paltan team after one of their 11 losses this season

Puneri Paltan ended yet another disastrous campaign with a narrow defeat to the Bengaluru Bulls at home which made it 11 defeats in the season. Having fielded a very young side, the Puneri Paltan did well to battle the semi-finalists till the very last minute, but would be disappointed to have let the game go after edging themselves back in the game.

But, coach Ashok Shinde was very pleased with the fight shown by his young side as they went down to the Bengaluru Bulls by one point.

“I am very satisfied and pleased with the performance. Many of these players were playing for the first time and didn’t have any experience of playing on such big stage. Even if we lost, the manner of the loss pleased me, We went down with a fight and that’s important,” said Ashok Shinde in an interaction with Sportskeeda after the game.

Ashok Shinde chalks out plan for next season

When asked about what he has learnt from the league and his side, Ashok Shinde was quick to point out at two factors. “I have realized that if you want to do well in this league, firstly you need to have a top level of fitness. Secondly the team needs to have more youngsters. According to me, a team with 80% youngsters and 20% senior players is the ideal combination for this league,” felt the Arjuna Award winning coach of the Puneri Paltan.

Looking ahead to next season, Ashok Shinde felt the experience of this season has helped him and his young side a lot and is confident that the experience of this season will make his team a lot stronger than what they are today.

“The experience was a new one for us, but a one that taught us a lot. With this experience and such a young squad, I’m sure we will be back next year a lot stronger than what we were this season,” said a confident Ashok Shinde, showing great faith in the team.

The former Indian kabaddi player will now go back to the drawing room and use his wits to prepare a winning formula for the Puneri Paltan next time out. With plenty of talent at his disposal, the highly experienced Ashok Shinde could just evolve this cub that the Puneri Paltan is, into a real lion.