PKL 2025
Gujarat GiantsPro Kabaddi LeagueTamil Thalaivas

PKL 2025: Thalaivas Coach Blames Raiders for 35-42 Loss; Playoff Hopes Hang by a Thread

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 3 hours ago | Oct 16, 2025 12:02 pm IST
PKL 2025: Thalaivas Coach Blames Raiders for 35-42 Loss; Playoff Hopes Hang by a Thread

The Tamil Thalaivas’ season is officially on life support. They just dropped their third consecutive match, a stinging 35-42 defeat to the Gujarat Giants on October 15, 2025, at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, and the fallout is pointing fingers straight inside the locker room.

Key Takeaways

  • Final Score: Gujarat Giants defeated Tamil Thalaivas 42-35.
  • Reason for Loss: Assistant Coach Suresh Kumar blamed the failure of support raiders.
  • Solo Effort: Arjun Deshwal’s Super 10 (12 points) wasn’t enough to secure a win.
  • Playoff Impact: The loss severely damages the Thalaivas’ chances of making the playoffs, dropping them to 9th.

One-Man Army Wasn’t Enough

Look, Arjun Deshwal did everything he could. The captain put the team on his back, securing another incredible Super 10 with 12 raid points. But kabaddi isn’t a solo sport, is it? His efforts were completely undermined. Assistant coach Suresh Kumar didn’t hold back, stating bluntly, “The support raiders failed even today.” While Moein Shafaghi chipped in with seven points, it just wasn’t enough to challenge a determined Giants squad.

How the Giants Sealed the Deal

And while the Thalaivas struggled, the Gujarat Giants were firing on all cylinders. Himanshu Singh was the star of the show for them, running circles around the Thalaivas’ defense to bag a crucial Super 10 with 13 raid points. Backing him up was the formidable Iranian wall, Mohammadreza Shadloui, who anchored the defense and snapped up four massive tackle points. It was a complete team performance that earned them the victory.

What This Means for the Playoffs

So, what does this all mean? It’s pretty brutal for the Thalaivas. This loss sends them tumbling down to ninth place in the PKL 12 standings with only two games left to play. Their playoff hopes are now hanging by a thread, needing not just big wins but also for other results to go their way. For the Gujarat Giants, it’s a different story. This win catapults them right into the seventh spot, a coveted playoff position. They control their own destiny now.

The Road Ahead Looks Grim

The pressure is immense. The Thalaivas are in a “desperate need of wins,” as Deshwal himself said after their previous narrow loss to UP Yoddhas. Can they find the missing support for their captain and stage an unbelievable comeback in their final games? Or is this the end of the road for them in PKL 2025? Let us know what you think they need to change.