Exclusive Interview with Telugu Titans Head Coach Krishan Hooda

Описание: The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 is just around the corner, promising to be an electrifying spectacle starting August 29, 2025. All eyes are on the teams, especially after the thrilling Player Auction, where franchises meticulously crafted their squads. One team that's under immense scrutiny and pressure to perform after a few challenging seasons is the Telugu Titans.

We had the exclusive opportunity to sit down with the seasoned and pragmatic Head Coach of Telugu Titans, Krishan Kumar Hooda, for an in-depth interview! Coach Hooda, a Dronacharya Awardee known for guiding Dabang Delhi K.C. to their first PKL title, revealed the Titans' overarching strategy for the upcoming PKL Season 12. Crucially, he also addressed the burning question on every fan's mind: Why did the Telugu Titans not use their Final Bid Match (FBM) card on "Hi-Flyer" Pawan Sehrawat at the PKL 12 Player Auction?

This is a must-watch for any Kabaddi fan eager to understand the strategic thinking behind a PKL franchise's decisions!

Coach Krishan Kumar Hooda's Strategic Blueprint for PKL Season 12:

Coach Hooda's vision for the Telugu Titans in PKL Season 12 is clearly focused on building a balanced, resilient, and collective team effort, moving away from a reliance on individual superstars. He outlined several key tenets of their strategy:

Distributed Raid Points:

Unlike past seasons where they might have leaned heavily on one star raider, Coach Hooda emphasized a strategy of having multiple reliable raiding options. The goal is to ensure that raid points can come from various players, making the team less predictable and harder for opposition defenses to contain.

This is evident in their significant investments in Bharat Hooda (₹81 lakhs) and the FBM retention of Vijay Malik (₹51.5 lakhs), both strong right raiders. They also used an FBM on Manjeet, a lanky left raider, to provide a versatile third option. This multi-pronged raiding attack is designed to keep the scoreboard ticking consistently.

Fortifying the Defense:

The Titans' defense has been a weak link in recent seasons. Coach Hooda made it clear that a major priority in the auction was to bolster this department.

Their strategic acquisitions of strong corner defenders like Aman Antil (left corner) and Shubham Shinde (right corner, for ₹80 lakhs) are testament to this focus. These players are known for their strong tackles and ability to hold their positions.

Retaining covers like Ajit Pandurang Pawar and Sagar also shows a commitment to building cohesion within the defensive unit. The emphasis is on developing strong chains and improving tackle success rates.

Emphasis on All-Rounders and Depth:

Coach Hooda believes in the value of players who can contribute in both raiding and defense. The FBM retention of Vijay Malik, an excellent all-rounder, fits perfectly into this philosophy.

The squad also includes other all-rounders like Ashish Narwal (re-acquired via FBM) and Ganesh Parki, providing crucial depth and flexibility to adapt to different match situations. This depth allows for strategic substitutions and ensures fresh legs on the mat.

Team Cohesion and Synergy:

Beyond individual skills, Coach Hooda stressed the importance of team chemistry and understanding. He will be working closely with the players to develop strong coordination, especially between the raiders and the defensive unit.

The focus is on building a cohesive unit that plays for each other, moving past the frustrations of previous seasons.

The Pawan Sehrawat FBM Decision: A Calculated Move Explained!

This was the question on everyone's lips, and Coach Hooda provided clear and concise reasoning for not using the FBM card on Pawan Sehrawat, who eventually went to Tamil Thalaivas for ₹59.5 lakhs:

Budgetary Constraints and Strategic Allocation: Coach Hooda unequivocally stated that the decision was driven by their pre-determined budget strategy. While Pawan Sehrawat is a phenomenal raider, his high price tag (₹2.605 crore in PKL Season 10) would have significantly impacted their ability to acquire other players across various positions. The Titans chose to distribute their budget more broadly.

By not going for Pawan, they freed up funds to secure key defensive players and a strong second primary raider (Bharat Hooda), ensuring a more balanced and less top-heavy squad.

Performance vs. Price Tag: The coach subtly alluded to the fact that while Pawan delivered 202 raid points in PKL Season 10, the team still finished at the bottom of the table. This experience reinforced the belief that relying on one expensive superstar, even a "Hi-Flyer," doesn't guarantee overall team success. The focus shifted from individual brilliance to collective team performance.

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