PKL 2019 | Coaches hail new format ahead of opening game

The previous two seasons of the PKL were based on the zonal format in which the 12 teams were divided into two zones according to the geographical area. That format garnered criticism for many reasons, one of which was that some teams from the same zone played each other thrice while facing teams from the other zone only once. For this edition, the organisers have adopted a simple double round-robin format. Now, all the 12 teams will be part of a single league phase. The top six teams will advance to the playoffs. The top two teams will directly qualify for the semi-finals with the other four teams fighting it out for the remaining spots through two eliminators. Kabaddi coaches like Krishan Kumar Hooda and E Bhaskaran have hailed the decision of the organisers ahead of the start of the league. 

“Last two season we saw people debating if the two zones were evenly balanced. They argued whether a team that was eliminated from a particular zone was stronger than the one that qualified from the other zone. With this format, the picture will be clear and there will be no room for debate,” Krishan Kumar was quoted as saying by Scroll.

Tamil Thalavias were at the bottom of Zone B in the last season, they have brought star raider Rahul Chaudhari to support their captain Ajay Thakur in the seventh season. Ahead of the start of the tournament, their coach Bhaskaran also spoke about the new league format.

"I think the change was needed. When we faced teams three times, the psychological baggage of the previous match was too much, especially in the third meetings. If we had lost the previous games to a team, it was hard to bounce back as the other team had too much psychological advantage,” Bhaskaran said. 

“Since we had to play certain teams thrice in a season, the games came thick and fast; now the time between two clashes will also be higher, so there will be room for some surprise element when we face the other team. We had given this feedback last year and I’m glad they have noted it."

With the new format being in place this season, the players are expected to get ample rest during the home legs. However, the league will be still three-month-long and Patna Pirates coach Ram Mehar Singh emphasised on the importance of remaining fit for the entire league for all the players.

“It is clear from the last two seasons that in this longer competition, fitness is the most important thing for every player. Your skills are of no use if your fitness isn’t up to the mark. So teams have conducted longer camps before the season. We’ve been training for almost 45-60 days,” stated Ram Mehar.

“Teams have hired specialists for improving players’ fitness. The franchises are doing all they can to keep the players in the best possible conditions. As coaches, we have realised we need two players for every position if we are to succeed."