Rahul Chaudhari Reflects on PKL Journey Amidst Unsold Status

Pro Kabaddi League star Rahul Chaudhari reflects on his journey and experiences, despite being unsold in the recent auction. He discusses his connection with Telugu Titans, his retirement decision, and the evolving squad formations for PKL Season 11.

Rahul Chaudhari, a prominent Indian Kabaddi player and key figure in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), found himself unsold in the recent season's auction. In an interview with Star Sports, Chaudhari recalled his journey and experiences within the league.

Chaudhari expressed, 'I didn't want the money; I just wanted to play on TV. Uday Kumar had faith in me, and the Telugu Titans signed me for 8.2 lakh in the auction. Even after the auction, I couldn't believe it was happening. I started out staying in a general train compartment, and now I'm taking flights and staying in five-star hotels. Kabaddi has brought me to such heights, and the warm welcomes we received at the hotels made me very happy.' He also highlighted his strong connection with Telugu Titans and their fans, stating, 'Fans chanting my name gave me the strength to perform. Telugu Titans holds a lot of importance in my life because I played six seasons with them; the team and the fans propelled me to stardom. This connection will always be there as long as I live.'

While speaking to Star Sports, Chaudhari discussed his retirement decision from PKL, saying, 'It was a very difficult decision to make. Even my family didn't know I was going to retire. When they heard about it, they called me and asked whether I've taken 'Sannyas' from PKL.' As PKL Season 11 approaches, all eyes are on the newly shaped squads.

The Bengal Warriorz have built a formidable squad, retaining Maninder Singh and signing Fazel Atrachali. The Bengaluru Bulls made significant additions with star raiders like Ajinkya Pawar. Dabang Delhi KC retained their core squad but added Siddharth Desai for more firepower. The Gujarat Giants spent big on Guman Singh, while Haryana Steelers went all in for Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh.

Other notable team constructions include Jaipur Pink Panthers retaining key players like Arjun Deshwal, Patna Pirates making smart acquisitions, Puneri Paltan keeping their title-winning squad mostly intact, and Tamil Thalaivas making the biggest bid for Sachin. The Telugu Titans strengthened their attack with Pawan Sehrawat and bought key defensive players. U Mumba made historic buys in defence, and UP Yoddhas signed Bharat to ensure a balanced squad.

(With inputs from agencies.)