PKL 2025
Ajay ThakurAslam InamdarPro Kabaddi LeaguePuneri Paltan

Coach Ajay Thakur Almost Retired; Puneri Paltan’s 50-45 Win Saves His PKL Career

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 1 month ago | Oct 30, 2025 09:01 am IST
Coach Ajay Thakur Almost Retired; Puneri Paltan's 50-45 Win Saves His PKL Career

Can you imagine the pressure? Winning isn’t just about a trophy; it’s about saving your coach’s entire career. That’s exactly what Puneri Paltan faced in the Pro Kabaddi 2025 Qualifier 2, after their captain Aslam Inamdar revealed a shocking secret from Head Coach Ajay Thakur right after their nail-biting 50-45 victory over Telugu Titans on Wednesday.

Key Takeaways

  • Puneri Paltan’s Head Coach Ajay Thakur planned to retire from coaching forever if the team lost Qualifier 2.
  • Captain Aslam Inamdar revealed this secret ultimatum after their 50-45 win against Telugu Titans.
  • The decision came after Puneri Paltan lost the first Qualifier to Dabang Delhi, despite topping the league table.
  • Puneri Paltan will now face Dabang Delhi in the PKL 2025 final on Friday, October 31.

The Retirement Ultimatum

Look, things got real after Puneri Paltan lost Qualifier 1 to Dabang Delhi. They had dominated the league stage, and for Coach Ajay Thakur, crashing out before the final was simply not an option. He took his captain, Aslam Inamdar, aside and laid it all on the line. No mincing words. No second chances.

According to Inamdar, Thakur’s message was chillingly direct. He told his captain, “If we lost today, he would leave coaching and never return to the PKL.” Yeah, you read that right. Thakur was ready to walk away from the sport for good if his top-ranked team couldn’t secure a spot in the final. Talk about raising the stakes.

A Match That Meant More

So, when Puneri Paltan stepped onto the mat against the Telugu Titans on October 29, they weren’t just playing for a win. They were playing for their coach. And you could feel that desperation and fire in their game. The match was an absolute thriller, a back-and-forth battle that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

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But honestly, Paltan just seemed to want it more. They clawed their way to a stunning 50-45 victory. It was a win born from pure grit, a performance fueled by the knowledge that their coach’s legacy was on the line. They didn’t just book a ticket to the final; they kept a legend in the game.

What This Means for the Final

With this emotionally charged victory behind them, Puneri Paltan now has a date with destiny. They’re set to face the very team that pushed them to the brink, Dabang Delhi, in the Pro Kabaddi 2025 final on Friday, October 31. This isn’t just a rematch anymore. It’s personal.

Now that the secret’s out, you have to wonder what this does to the team’s mentality. Will they ride this emotional high to their first PKL trophy, or will the pressure finally catch up to them? One thing’s for sure: the final just got a whole lot more interesting. What do you think will happen?