PKL: Who is Bengal Warriors coach Baskaran Kasinathan?

Baskaran Kasinathan is one of the well-known sportspeople from India. Born in 1968, K
Baskaran has been around for a long time. The 54-year-old has represented the Indian
team. When he retired, he became a mentor for several local academies. He then went
on to coach multiple Pro Kabaddi League teams as well. In PKL 9, he was appointed as
the coach of the Bengal Warriors.

Born in Tamil Nadu, Baskaran was the 4th child of a Kasinathan-Krishnammal couple.
He started playing Kabaddi when he was 12. He studied at the Government School of
Sooliyakottai, where he practised the game. He finished a degree at a well-known
university.

While growing up, Baskaran looked up to Tamil Nadu Kabaddi player Raja Rajendran.
Baskaran went on to earn a job through Sports Quota in Pandian Roadways
Corporation. He went on to represent ICF for three years. Later in his career, he also
represented Air India.

His performances in the national tournaments helped him to get into the Indian team.
From 1994 to 1997, he helped India and his national team to win several medals,
starting with the 1994 Asian Games Gold. He was then named the captain in the SAF
Games where led the team to yet another gold.

Notably in the senior Nationals, he ended up winning gold in three consecutive years.

Baskaran's love for sports coaching got him to study for a degree as a Specialist Coach
at the National Institute of Sports, Bangalore.

After completion of his degree, he was appointed as the Indian coach for Junior
Probables. In the same year, he got to coach the Thailand National Kabaddi Team. He
became several heads turn when he took up the job. Soon, the next year, he coached

the Malaysian National Kabaddi Team. He was associated with them at the 2010 Asian
Games as well. Baskaran played a major role in the selection of their team.

In 2014, he was appointed as a mentor for the Indian men's Kabaddi team in the Beach
Asian Games 2014. The tournament, which was held in Thailand, saw the team secure
a bronze medal in the event. In the same year, he made his first appearance as a coach
in the Pro Kabaddi League.

The first season of the Pro Kabaddi League saw the Indian veteran coach the Jaipur
Pink Panthers. He led the team to the trophy in the first season. Baskaran continued to
coach the team for a couple more seasons. In 2016, he left the franchise to become the
coach of Puneri Paltans. Baskaran helped the team to finish third in the season four.

Baskaran was named the coach of the Indian team in the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup. He
helped the men's team to win the championship for the third consecutive time. In the
final, India defeated Iran to win the trophy.

In 2017, he moved to Tamil Thalaivas. After a couple of years of hiatus, Baskaran was
appointed as the coach of the Bengal Warriors.

After taking charge, he told that he would help the team lift the trophy in an interview.

"I am delighted to return to Pro Kabaddi. Despite knowing that I was not part of the
League for three seasons, Bengal has put its faith in me. In general, I like to work hard.
On my comeback, I look forward to working even harder and achieving glory," he said.

However, Bengal Warriors could not make it to the knock-out. The team finished 11th in
the table with eight wins and 11 losses.

K Baskaran is back as the coach for Bengal Warriors. He has already begun the
scouting process for the upcoming season as they will look to put past their poor run in
the last season and come back stronger.