Telugu Titans Captain Vijay Malik On PKL 2025: 'Fully Fit, Motivated And Committed'

Last Updated:August 19, 2025, 18:18 IST

Telugu Titans coach Krishan Kumar Hooda and captain Vijay Malik discussed team composition, preparation, and PKL's impact on the sport.

PKL: Telugu Titans captain Vijay Malik

During a special Media Day organised by JioStar ahead of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12, Telugu Titans coach Krishan Kumar Hooda elaborated on the team’s composition, the impact of PKL on the sport, young players capitalising on the platform, workload management, sharpening and conditioning the mindset of players, while also throwing the spotlight on bench strength, practice routines, and the overall game plan.

Speaking exclusively during the PKL Season 12 Media Day, Telugu Titans Captain Vijay Malik on team culture and preparation:

“Our team is like a family. There’s no hierarchy; we treat each other like brothers. Our coach is like a parent, guiding us with care and discipline. On the mat, that bond shows in our coordination. Everyone is fully fit, motivated, and training with commitment. That’s why I feel we are stronger than many teams this season."

Speaking exclusively during the PKL Season 12 Media Day, Telugu Titans Coach Krishan Kumar Hooda shared his thoughts on the team’s preparations for the season:

“With full confidence, I can say that our team is very strong, and you will see this in the coming season. We are fully prepared for PKL Season 12. All the small mistakes we made last year have been corrected, and this time we will try to deliver our best performance. I am sure our fans will be very happy with what they are going to witness this season. I strongly believe this season will be a very good one for us, and the team is ready to give an excellent performance. The preparation has been very good. All our players are fit, with no injuries, and we are also psychologically strong. From every angle, the team is in great shape, with no issues of any kind. In the coming matches, you will see the results of this preparation."

On how PKL has transformed Kabaddi:

“Kabaddi has changed everything – the path of players, their lives, and even their families. Everything has improved. Today, every parent wishes that their son plays kabaddi, and there is only one reason for that. They see the team playing beautifully, and the economic condition of players becomes stronger. Players now earn every year, and they have made a lot of progress. I would like to say that since Pro Kabaddi started, everything has changed. All the credit goes to the franchise owners, to the commissioner who is running the league, to the players who participate with discipline, and to all the coaching and support staff. The credit belongs to all of them, because so much hard work has gone into this. Since the league began, kabaddi has transformed completely. Earlier, when we had only Indian coaches, we never had physios or trainers. But now, thanks to the league, we have everything. All the players, franchises, and league officials deserve full credit."

On new young players grabbing the spotlight:

“All the new players have become stars. We never thought there would be so many new players. Vijay (captain Vijay Malik) played for a year, and in the next two or three years, all the new players have become stars. You have seen that many of them spent a year or two on the bench. They stayed patient, learned a lot, and then delivered strong performances. They have made the country proud with their performances. This league has given new players a great platform. There is no better stage for them. Many players come in their first year, show their skills, and initially no one knows them. But then they become stars, even making a name for themselves internationally. Pro Kabaddi League is the best platform for young players."

On practice and strategy:

“When we practice, we often recall the mistakes we made in the last tournament. There were matches in our hands that we lost. We remind the players of these situations during training. We also encourage them to stay mentally strong and focused. We tell them not to think about anything else. With proper training, their mindset gets prepared. The most important thing is that if the team is well organised, even small mistakes can be corrected during the match. I feel our team is very well-organised this year. I feel this season the team will play according to the captain’s plan. We will try to make as few mistakes as possible. We learn from every tournament, and that’s how we move on from past matches. We prepare our strategies before each game. Tactics are decided based on the opponent, who has possession, which raider should go, and who should stay back. We teach all of this to the players and also guide them during the match. Our goal is to minimise mistakes. We plan all strategies and tactics according to the match. But once the match begins, the captain’s mind becomes crucial. He decides who should go for the raid, who should attack, and who should defend. If the team follows this well, the chances of making mistakes will reduce."

On bench strength:

“The team should not depend only on seven players. That kind of team cannot succeed. If a key player gets attacked or injured during a match, the team becomes weak. That’s why bench strength is so important. I always say this and always practice with this in mind. We have three main raiders, and the next three raiders are just as strong as the first three. In defence, we also have a very solid setup, with two on each side, three corners, and two covers. Our defence is very strong, and our raiders are equally good. Players like Vijay Malik, Bharat Hooda, Ashish Narwal, Jai Bhagwan, Praful Zaware, and Chetan Sahu are all very strong raiders. It is their responsibility to ensure the team performs well. If there is an injury or if someone is not performing, then the replacement becomes crucial. If the replacement is good, the team has no problem. We are fortunate to have that depth."

Catch all the action from the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12, August 29 onwards, LIVE & Exclusive on JioHotstar and the Star Sports Network

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First Published:

August 19, 2025, 18:18 IST

News sports Telugu Titans Captain Vijay Malik On PKL 2025: 'Fully Fit, Motivated And Committed'

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