“Too much rest can be costly” - Jasvir Singh not keen on resting players for UP Yoddhas’ last Pro Kabaddi 2024 league match [Exclusive]

UP Yoddhas head coach Jasvir Singh is not keen on resting his key players for their final league game of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2024 against Bengaluru Bulls tonight (December 24). Despite already securing a playoff berth, Singh emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum, even against the last-placed Bulls.

The Yoddhas are coming off a dominant victory against Gujarat Giants on December 19, where they won comfortably 59-23 to extend their unbeaten streak to eight matches. With 12 wins in 21 games, the team is assured of a playoff spot, but they missed out on securing a direct entry into the semi-finals.

When asked about the possibility of resting key players for the relatively low-stakes clash against Bengaluru Bulls, Jasvir Singh dismissed the idea in an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda. He explained why it’s crucial for the team to stay active ahead of the playoffs. He said:

“We have got a break of 3-4 days now, and the players have got a good chance to recover. Too much rest can be costly at times. The players should not be kept away from the mat for too long because they have momentum right now and we want to continue it.”

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Could UP Yoddhas have put in extra effort to secure a direct spot in the PKL 2024 semi-finals?

Despite their impressive season, UP Yoddhas will finish outside the top two, even if they win their final league game. With Haryana Steelers and Dabang Delhi KC already securing the top two spots and direct semi-final berths, UP Yoddhas can only finish as high as third on the table.

The Yoddhas’ season includes three tied matches, which raised questions about whether they could have pushed harder to convert those ties into wins and secure a top-two finish. Responding to this, Jasvir Singh firmly defended his team’s efforts saying:

“It is not that we did not put in extra effort. No team can play slack and one has to put in all their effort. However, sometimes the situation is such that playing for a tie is the right decision. No team wants to lose the match because everyone knows that points matter a lot in the end, and everyone keeps this in mind. Some of our matches were close, and luck was not with us, it happens.”

This season has been a remarkable turnaround for UP Yoddhas after their dismal performance in PKL 10, where they finished second last and missed out on the playoffs for the first time in their history. The Yoddhas have now secured their sixth playoff qualification in seven seasons but are still chasing their maiden final appearance.