Tamil Thalaivas Sack Head Coach Sanjeev Baliyan After Turbulent PKL Season

Tamil Thalaivas have officially parted ways with head coach Sanjeev Baliyan following a chaotic Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 that saw the franchise finish 10th out of 12 teams with just 12 points. The club, which failed to secure a place in the top eight and missed out on the play-ins, announced the decision on Tuesday through a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

“Tamil Thalaivas confirm that head coach Sanjeev Baliyan’s contract has been terminated with immediate effect,” the franchise posted, adding that a new coach would be named in due course.

The sacking comes against the backdrop of a season riddled with controversy, internal friction, and public disagreements between the coaching staff and team management. One of the biggest flashpoints occurred early in the campaign when the Thalaivas released team captain and India skipper Pawan Sehrawat after the first leg in Visakhapatnam, citing disciplinary reasons. 

The move prompted a strong rebuttal from Sehrawat, who took to social media to dismiss the allegations and challenge the franchise to produce evidence. He went as far as to declare that he would quit kabaddi if the management could substantiate their claims.

As the season progressed, tensions within the camp became more apparent. After the team’s final match, Baliyan openly criticised the management, alleging that he had not been granted the authority to choose the starting seven. 

He claimed that unfit players were selected over fit ones and insisted that several decisions were influenced not by the coaching staff but by the team analyst. Captain Arjun Deshwal echoed these concerns, further highlighting a disconnect between the team’s on-ground leadership and the backroom staff.

In response, the franchise waited until the season concluded before issuing a clarification on social media. The Chennai-based team countered the coach’s accusations, stating that Baliyan had been given full autonomy over selections, player retention, training plans, and overall strategy. According to the management, every request made by the coach had been fulfilled, contradicting the narrative put forth by both Baliyan and Deshwal.

The fallout has left the Thalaivas at a crossroads as they seek stability ahead of the next PKL season. With the head coach role now vacant and the squad in need of regrouping, the franchise faces the task of rebuilding trust, reshaping their approach, and addressing the issues that derailed their previous campaign. The upcoming appointment of a new coach will play a crucial role in determining the direction Tamil Thalaivas take as they aim for a fresh start.