Pro Kabaddi League: Tamil Thalaivas part ways with coaching duo Dharmaraj Cheralathan, Udayakumar ahead of PKL 12

Pro Kabaddi League: Tamil Thalaivas part ways with coaching duo Dharmaraj Cheralathan, Udayakumar ahead of PKL 12

Tamil Thalaivas has announced the release of its chief coach, Udayakumar, and strategy coach, Dharmaraj Cheralathan following a disappointing campaign in the eleventh season of the Pro Kabbadi League (PKL) that concluded in the final days of the last year.

Ahead of the last season, for the first time in PKL history, a team chose not to proceed without a traditional head coach and assistant coach, instead opting for a dual-coach system to enhance and guide the team collaboratively.

However, things did not fall into places. Thalaivas started the season well but faded away as tournament progressed. In 22 league matches, the Chennai-based team only managed to win eight, while tasted defeat in 13 occasions. It fished ninth in the table with 50 points and failed to qualify for the playoffs.

In a statement released by the franchise, its CEO Shushen Vashishth said, “This was a particularly difficult decision as both Udayakumar and Dharmaraj Cheralathan have contributed immensely to the team. However, as we look ahead to Season 12, it has become evident that a fresh approach is necessary to achieve the outcomes we aspire to. We are already working on new strategies and implementing internal changes to ensure the team is well-prepared for the challenges ahead. We remain optimistic about delivering a strong performance in the upcoming season.”

Thalaivas are yet to announce their new coaching lineup for PKL 12.