Chennai, Sep 27 (UNI) When the UP Yoddhas step onto the mat, it’s rarely about one player. But when Gagan Gowda is in form, the team knows it has a weapon. Eight games into Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12, Gowda has already scored 82 points, the highest for his team. But for him, personal milestones are secondary to the bigger picture. The young raider has seen games where even his Super 10s couldn’t save the team from defeat, and he’s determined not to let that pattern repeat itself.
“Personally, I am keeping the processes the same as last year. However, when we were losing after I got Super 10s, I was not too pleased with that because the environment wasn’t as vibrant back then. Even if I get fewer points, the topmost objective is to keep winning,” Gowda explained.
A certain phase in this season wasn’t smooth. Four losses in as many matches had the Yoddhas under scrutiny, and the pressure was tangible. At that point, it was about keeping the team morale intact, but Gowda and his teammates have found a way to shrug off that burden.
“Definitely, there was pressure earlier, as we had lapses on both the offensive and defensive fronts. However, we have shed that pressure in the last two games, and recovered our mojo to begin winning games again,” he says. Momentum, after all, is fragile in PKL, and regaining it can make the difference between playoffs and an early exit.
Confidence is returning, but Gowda knows the team cannot afford complacency. The wins have helped, and right now, consistency is the ultimate goal. “There is still scope for improvement. Obviously, people doubted us when we lost four games. After consecutive victories, confidence is back, and the team is focused on sustaining the momentum that could carry them to the playoffs,” he said.
Depth has become the Yoddhas’ secret weapon. With multiple match-winners, the team doesn’t rely on any one player, and Gowda is the first to acknowledge this strength.
“There are always benefits of the wealth of attacking riches we have at our disposal, because we always consult each other before and during the games. Someday Bhavani clicks, someday Guman does, and some other day someone else does…that’s the advantage of having a strong squad depth. Both the coach and captain also advise us accordingly. Our pre-match analysis and training are top-notch.”
The next chapter of the season will unfold in Chennai, where every game will carry extra weight. With only 18 league matches, teams can’t afford slip-ups, and the Yoddhas are acutely aware of this. “We are very excited about the matches in the Chennai leg. This season, we have only 18 league matches. In Chennai, the table scenario will become clearer – of who remains at the top and who qualifies for the playoffs. So, to win the forthcoming games is of utmost importance for us,” Gowda said, highlighting the stakes and the hunger within the squad.
This resurgence is built on a strong foundation, laid by coaches who understand the game and the players intimately.
“We were placed 10th in Season 10. But coach Jasveer Singh saab spotted the right talents, retained the correct players, and took them to the semi-finals. Both he and Upendra Malik saab lay a special focus on preparing as per the games, giving the right inputs during the match, and maintaining a lively atmosphere that keeps everyone in the right spirits,” he recalls.
The story of the Yoddhas is about vision, preparation, and a culture that prioritises growth even in adversity. As the season progresses, one thing is clear, every match is a battlefield, and the Yoddhas are fighting back stronger, faster, and sharper.
