“Can't predict top spot, can only work hard": Telugu Titans head coach’s pragmatic take on his team’s performance

Noida, November 22, 2024:  The Telugu Titans have been in excellent form in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 11, with eight wins in 12 games that have moved them to second on the league table. On Thursday night’s first game, the team – led by Vijay Malik in the absence of Pawan Sehrawat – clinched a nail-biting 31-29 victory over Bengal Warriorz at the Noida Indoor Stadium. 

The win, spearheaded by Vijay Malik's impressive 14-point performance, earned heavy praise from their head coach Krishna Kumar Hooda, who said. "We held the match in our hands until the very end. The last three-four points were touch and go, but our defence played excellently.”

When questioned about handling the pressure of leading a team at the summit of the table, Hooda maintained a pragmatic approach. "There's pressure when you're leading the team, but I try to communicate strategies clearly beforehand, and I execute what's expected," he explained.

The veteran coach, however, refused to get carried away by their current position. "Being at the top comes down to numbers. We can't say we'll stay there - we'll put in the effort, but all teams are good and we have to fight. Success will be determined in the future," Hooda said, emphasizing the competitive nature of the league.

The win showcased the Titans' resilience, particularly in closing out tight matches. Hooda highlighted that his primary focus remains on delivering performances that satisfy their supporters. "Our biggest opportunity is to perform well and make our fans and the league happy. We'll continue to give our performances, and time will tell how we handle whatever questions come our way."

Preview for Matches on November 23:

The Telugu Titans – high on confidence – will face the Gujarat Giants in the first match on Saturday. In the absence of their star raider Pawan Sehrawat, Vijay Malik has been their main man in attack. Excellent performances from Shankar Gadai, Ankit and Sagar Sethpal in defence have carried the Telugu Titans to the top half of the points table, but they will need to be wary of the Gujarat Giants’ raiders, who have proven themselves and have help their team to wins and ties this season.

In the second match of the night, the Haryana Steelers will want to carry their winning momentum into a tough fixture against the Jaipur Pink Panthers. The Steelers’ skipper Jaideep Dahiya is likely to miss this clash after an injury in the game against the Bengaluru Bulls, as the Jaipur Pink Panthers will want to avenge their loss to the Haryana Steelers earlier in the season, and also continue their three-match winning streak.

Please find below the schedule for PKL Season 11 match on Saturday, November 23:

Match 1 – Gujarat Giants vs Telugu Titans – 8 pm  
Match 2 – Jaipur Pink Panthers vs Haryana Steelers – 9 pm      

For all updates on the Pro Kabaddi league, log on to www.prokabaddi.com, download the Official Pro Kabaddi app or follow @prokabaddi on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and X.  

The Pro Kabaddi League Season 11 will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on Disney+ Hotstar.