“There is no team that cannot be defeated” - Jasvir Singh on the competition for the PKL 11 title; highlights UP Yoddhas’ preparation for the playoffs

As the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2024 playoffs draw near, UP Yoddhas’ head coach Jasvir Singh has shed light on the fierce competition for the coveted title. In an exclusive conversation with Sportskeeda, Singh emphasized the balanced nature of the competition this season, highlighting his team’s preparations and the hurdles ahead.

UP Yoddhas have secured their spot in the playoffs with an impressive record of 12 wins, six losses, and three ties from 21 games and still have one more league game left. Despite their resurgence, they missed out on a direct semifinal berth, as they will finish outside the top two, necessitating an extra step through the eliminators to reach the grand finale.

This campaign has marked a significant turnaround for UP Yoddhas after their dismal finish last season, where they placed second last and failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in their history. With six playoff appearances in seven seasons, the UP Yoddhas are now aiming to break the jinx of never reaching a PKL final.

Reflecting on this season, Jasvir Singh pointed out how the playoff race had been unpredictable, with early frontrunners like Puneri Paltan, Telugu Titans, and Tamil Thalaivas faltering in the latter stages. He said:

“All the teams in the playoffs are a challenge for us. Although all the teams are very good, it has become difficult for many teams to reach the playoffs. Telugu Titans were in the top 2 some time back, but they got eliminated. Puneri Paltan and Tamil Thalaivas also had a chance, but they also missed out.”

Jasvir further highlighted the balanced competition in PKL 11, stating that no team is unbeatable. Unlike previous seasons where Jaipur Pink Panthers (Season 9) and Puneri Paltan (Season 10) dominated with one-sided performances, this year’s title race is open for all. He said:

“This time there is no team that cannot be defeated. Jaipur Pink Panthers in season 9 and Puneri Paltan in season 10 looked quite different, but this time it is not so. The doors are open for all the teams, and you cannot take anyone lightly. We have to play with full planning and play the matches with full strength.”

Despite strong showings from Haryana Steelers, Dabang Delhi KC, and Patna Pirates, UP Yoddhas have been competitive, defeating every team in the top six in their last reverse fixture except Delhi, with whom they played out a tie. Singh acknowledged the importance of these wins while stressing the need for adaptability. He said:

“It was very important to defeat every team that reached the playoffs and this also boosted the confidence of the players. However, according to me, every match is different, and we have to go with full preparation. The other team also sees what mistake they made and why they lost. We have to come up with a new plan so that we win. We cannot go based on the result of the previous match.”

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Jasvir Singh on the rise and contributions of Gagan Gowda and Bhavani Rajput

UP Yoddhas didn’t have an ideal start to their PKL 11 season, losing five of their first eight games, which even included a four-game losing streak. However, they bounced back in style and are currently on an eight-game unbeaten run which has helped them seal a spot in the playoffs. He said:

“We have performed quite well in Pro Kabaddi League Season 11. We had a good start, but we did not perform well in some matches in between. However, after this the team caught the rhythm at the right time, and now we are performing with consistency. The atmosphere in the team is very good and we are fully prepared for the playoffs. We just have to see which team we will play against in the playoffs, and we will plan accordingly.”

The resurgence of UP Yoddhas in the latter half of the season has been driven by the standout performances of Gagan Gowda and Bhavani Rajput. Both raiders stepped up when the senior duo of Bharat and Surender Gill struggled to deliver.

Gagan, who was included in the UP Yoddhas team as a New Young Player (NYP) last season, has amassed 130 raid points in 16 matches, while Bhavani has secured 135 raid points in 20 matches.

Commenting on their performances, he said:

“We included Gagan in our team as NYP, and he did well last season. After this, we kept him in our academy and trained him there. He also plays tournaments for us, and we keep a constant eye on his performance. Gagan performed well. We expected him to do well, and he lived up to our expectations. Bhavani Rajput was not getting so many opportunities earlier, but we gave him a chance as the main raider. He is also doing well in 6-7 and 4-5 defense. He is doing well consistently, and the team is benefiting from it.”