In a surprising turn of events, Tamil Thalaivas have parted ways with their star raider and captain, Pawan Sehrawat, raising questions across the kabaddi fandom. Sehrawat was expected to be the backbone of the Chennai-based franchise following his purchase in the 2025 auction.
He had previously featured for the Tamil Thalaivas back in Season 9 of the Pro Kabaddi League. He, however, featured in only one game, having sustained an injury and undergone surgery that ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign. He was roped in for ₹59.5 lakh after his stint with Telugu Titans ahead of this season.
Why was Pawan Sehrawat removed from the Tamil Thalaivas?
The Indian kabaddi star featured for the Tamil Thalaivas in the side’s first three matches of the competition. After this, he was not involved in Thalaivas’ first match of the Jaipur leg of the tournament against Bengal Warriorz.
In a statement posted on X, the franchise confirmed that its captain will not be taking further part in the ongoing season. The statement read, “Pawan Sehrawat has been sent home from the squad for the remainder of the season owing to disciplinary reasons. This decision has been made after due consideration and in alignment with the team’s code of conduct”.
The Tamil Thalaivas won their opening match against Sehrawat’s former side, the Telugu Titans, but lost the following two matches that Sehrawat featured in. The Thalaivas, who played without Sehrawat, returned to winning ways with a commanding 46-36 victory against the Bengal Warriorz.
Pawan Sehrawat’s Response to the Tamil Thalaivas
The star raider broke the silence by dismissing the allegations made against him. He feels so strongly that he’s being unjustly treated, he claims that if the allegations were found to be true, he would leave kabaddi.
“The team has called me undisciplined. I have been a part of the India team, so I know very well what the meaning of discipline is. If I am found to be undisciplined and whatever allegations the team have levelled against me, if there’s even 1% truth in it, I promise to you guys that I will stop playing Kabaddi. I am still standing firm on this. I am saying that I am right and am not wrong anywhere,” Pawan Sehrawat said.
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What’s Next for the Thalaivas and Pawan Sehrawat?
The Tamil Thalaivas have endured a major setback with the loss of Sehrawat for the remainder of the campaign. He was signed as the marquee player for ₹59.5 lakh with the hopes of building the squad around him. This controversy hurts the Tamil Thalaivas as they not only lose one of the league’s top raiders but also their captain.
Pawan Sehrawat remains the poster boy for Indian kabaddi, earning the nickname of “Hi-Flyer” for his explosive raids. As captain of the national team, his reputation extends beyond PKL, making the disciplinary allegations all the more damaging.
Conclusion
Pawan Sehrawat’s sudden removal has sparked widespread speculation, with the Tamil Thalaivas pointing towards disciplinary issues rather than injury or form as the driving factor.
The decision has not only stunned fans but also left a void in the Thalaivas’ leadership setup. This is making his absence one of the biggest talking points of the season and a season-defining change for the Tamil Thalaivas.
Written by: Thillai Ritvik
