Interview with Avnish Baliyan "Due to Pro Kabaddi, we are getting the best facilities"

Avnish Baliyan

Avnish Baliyan will play for the first time in Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League in the second season. He is a ticket examiner at Indian Railways and was selected for the Dabang Delhi team for the second season of the league.

The defender hails from Kakra village of Mujaffar Nagar District in Uttar Pradesh. 25-year-old Avnish has played nationals in kabaddi for his state team as well as for Railways. During an interview with SportsKeeda, Avnish told us about his team’s preparation and the difference in experiences after joining the Pro Kabaddi side.

Here are the excerpts:

Q. It’s your first time in Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League. How are you feeling?

I am feeling very good. Before that, not many people knew about me and my kabaddi. After joining Dabang Delhi people started recognizing me. Before that, I used to play for Uttar Pradesh state team, but nobody knows that. Now I am getting support from all over Uttar Pradesh, not only from my village.

Q. What changes have you found after moving to Dabang Delhi?

Earlier, the government was not giving proper facilities. Now we are getting the best facilities, so we don’t have any problems.

Q. Have you learnt some new techniques in training after coming to Delhi Dabang?

Yes, I learnt lots of new techniques of tackle, which were not there at the local level. Especially, I learnt a lot from our coach Honappa C. Gauda, He is very supportive.

Senior players are often teaching me new skills. They taught me how to play during different situations. Surjeet Narwal, Ravindra (Pahal), Shrikant (Tewthia) all are supportive and I learnt a lot from them.

Q. Lots of foreign player are also playing this year. How has your experience been of training with them?

Till now only two foreign players are there with the team and other 2 are yet to come.

Q. You have your first match on 19^th July against Telgu Titans. How are your preparations for that match?

We are ready for the match. We have seen their videos and already prepared a strategy for their team.

Q. Have you prepared any strategy for any specific player?

Yes, we have a special strategy for Telugu Titans Raider Rahul Chaudhari. He was the second best raider in the first season of the tournament. We have a strategy to stop him.

Q. What is your aim and expectations from this second season?

My only aim is to play well for the team and to help my team win, whenever I get a chance.

Avnish Baliyan (Front) with Team at Mumbai Stadium