PKL 2019 | Puneri Paltan have power-packed squad this season, claims Girish Ernak

With only a few days remaining for the seventh season of the popular Pro Kabaddi League, Puneri Paltan have started their preparations at their home in Pune under new coach Anup Kumar. After deciding not to retain a single player ahead of the auctions in April, the Paltan has picked players like last year’s skipper Girish Ernak and star raider Nitin Tomar back in the team during the auctions.

“Our efforts will reflect in our performance in the League. We are working together, supporting each other, and I’m sure we will do well and be successful.” 

“As a captain, I was responsible to lead the team to pave their way ahead. However, we are supposed to perform as a cohesive unit and any individual cannot be held responsible for the team’s performance. Our success or our failure cannot be attributed to one person only as it is a collective effort that we put in together,” explained last year’s captain.

“Nitin has undoubtedly been one of the strongest players of the league. For every team, each of its players are important and if they succumb to injuries it does leave an impact on the performance. Succumbing to an experienced player to injury didn’t shape up well for the team since we did not have strong backup raider last season,” Ernak stated.

In addition to Tomar in the raiding department, Puneri Paltan have some good youngsters like Manjeet, Darshan Kadian, and Pawan Kadian. All of them had a good season with their respective teams last year and the management had a good look at them before roping them in at the auctions. Ernak stressed upon the importance of an experienced player talking to the younger players in the team and making them feel comfortable on the big stage.

“The spirit of the game, after all, lies in the strength of teamwork and collaboration, and it is crucial for each of us to help improve and learn from one another,” the Maharashtra player signed off.