The Tamil Thalaivas are perhaps one of the most popular franchises in the history of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), courtesy their star-studded lineup, which has included names like Pawan Sehrawat, Ajay Thakur, Rahul Chaudhari, and Narender Kandola over the years. The Chennai-based team debuted in 2017 and has garnered a huge fan base, being part of the set of 4 teams that popularised kabaddi in South India. Though the title eludes them, the franchise has had many fine moments and has turned into a competitive outfit. Tamil Thalaivas 2025 squad appears to be a great mix between experienced campaigners and young blood, giving the fans hope for another strong season that leads towards title success.
Tamil Thalaivas Team Overview
| Category | Details |
| Team Name | Tamil Thalaivas |
| Founded | 2017 |
| City | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Home Venue | Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium |
| PKL Titles | 0 |
| Playoff Appearances | 1 |
| Best Finish | Semi-finals (Season 9) |
Tamil Thalaivas entered PKL with high expectations and quickly became one of the most followed teams in South India.
Tamil Thalaivas 2025 Squad Players List with Prices (PKL 2025)
Tamil Thalaivas assembled a strong squad for PKL 2025, combining experienced stars like Arjun Deshwal and Pawan Sehrawat with a solid core of retained players. The franchise focused on strengthening both its raiding and defensive units ahead of Season 12.
| Player Name | Role | Price |
| Arjun Deshwal | Raider | ₹1.405 Crore |
| Pawan Sehrawat | All-Rounder | ₹59.50 Lakh |
| Alireza Khalili | Defender | ₹30.20 Lakh |
| Mohit | Defender | ₹13 Lakh |
| Suresh Jadhav | All-Rounder | ₹9.50 Lakh |
| Moein Safaghi | All-Rounder | Retained |
| Himanshu | Defender | Retained |
| Sagar | Defender | Retained |
| Nitesh Kumar | Defender | Retained |
| Narender Kandola | Raider | Retained |
| Ronak | Defender | Retained |
| Vishal Chahal | Raider | Retained |
| Aashish | Defender | Retained |
| Anuj Kaluram Gawade | Defender | Retained |
| Dhiraj Ravindra Bailmare | Raider | Retained |
| Tarun | Defender | Retained |
| Abhiraj Manoj Pawar | Raider | Retained |
| Rohit Kumar Beniwal | Raider | Retained |
| Yogesh Yadav | Raider | Retained |
Star players in PKL 2025 auction Tamil Thalaivas: Arjun Deshwal – ₹1.405 crore The biggest signing for the franchise was the addition of star raider Arjun Deshwal, who joined Tamil Thalaivas at ₹1.405 crore. Also Pawan Sehrawat made a comeback which many will consider as the biggest firepower in the team, adding muscle to their star studded list. The Thalaivas, with a well-rounded squad boasting veterans including Narender Kandola, Sagar and Nitesh Kumar, had one of the more balanced teams in the league this season.
Tamil Thalaivas Squad Composition 2025
| Category | Number of Players |
| Raiders | 7 |
| Defenders | 9 |
| All-Rounders | 3 |
| Total Players | 19 |
Moreover, Tamil Thalaivas have a splendid raiding department with the likes of Arjun Deshwal, Pawan Sehrawat and Narender Kandola complemented with solid defenders such as Sagar, Nitesh Kumar and Alireza Khalili. Considering the balance of their squad, Tamil Thalaivas would be a side to watch out for in PKL 2025.
History of Tamil Thalaivas in PKL
They made their PKL debut in Season 5, which was held in 2017. The franchise signed a bunch of big-name players in its initial years, including Ajay Thakur, Rahul Chaudhari, Manjeet Chhillar, and later Pawan Sehrawat.
But it did not happen right away. The team underperformed in its early seasons, routinely finishing near the bottom of the standings. Even with great players, consistency was still an issue.
However, the pivotal moment was probably in Season 9 when it reached to playoffs stage for the first time. This accomplishment represented a major milestone and was an indicator of the progress that had taken place over the years across its 67 chapters.
Tamil Thalaivas Season-by-Season Performance
| Season | Position | Result |
| Season 5 | Bottom Half | League Stage |
| Season 6 | Bottom Half | League Stage |
| Season 7 | Bottom Half | League Stage |
| Season 8 | League Stage | Did Not Qualify |
| Season 9 | Top 6 | Playoffs |
| Season 10 | Mid Table | League Stage |
| Season 11 | League Stage | Did Not Qualify |
The club’s best campaign remains Season 9, when they reached the playoffs for the first time.
Tamil Thalaivas Greatest Players
Several players have been instrumental lately in creating an identity for the Tamil Thalaivas over the years.
Ajay Thakur
Ajay Thakur was one of the very star players to connect with the franchise. Bishop’s raid leading and selfless gameplay played an integral role in shaping the team’s early identity.
Rahul Chaudhari
Dubbed the ‘Showman’ of kabaddi, Rahul Chaudhari added experience and attacking prowess to the team.
Pawan Sehrawat
Pawan Sehrawat, one of the biggest names on the kabaddi scene, joined as a raider with plenty of explosive play and was earmarked as a marquee player.
Narender Kandola
Narender proved to be one of the brightest talents within the younger artillery for franchise and delivered essential raid points with ordinary consistency.
Tamil Thalaivas Team Records
Tamil Thalaivas may not have won a championship yet, but the franchise holds several notable records.
| Record | Achievement |
| PKL Titles | 0 |
| Playoff Appearances | 1 |
| First Playoff Qualification | Season 9 |
| Highest Team Score | 74 Points |
| Home Venue Capacity | 8,000 |
| Most Successful Era | Season 9 |
Tamil Thalaivas recorded 74 points against Bengal Warriors, one of the highest team scores in PKL history.
Tamil Thalaivas vs Bengaluru Bulls
The rivalry between Tamil Thalaivas and Bengaluru Bulls has produced several exciting contests over the years.
| Category | Details |
| Rivalry Type | Southern Derby |
| Key Attraction | Star Raiders |
| Match Style | High-Scoring Battles |
Whenever these two teams meet, fans witness aggressive raiding and fast-paced kabaddi. The presence of star players on both sides has made this one of the most entertaining matchups in the league.
Tamil Thalaivas vs Puneri Paltan
Tamil Thalaivas and Puneri Paltan have developed a competitive rivalry in recent seasons.
| Category | Details |
| Rivalry Type | Tactical Contest |
| Strength | Strong Defenses |
| Match Trend | Close Games |
Puneri Paltan’s disciplined defence often clashes with the attacking style of Tamil Thalaivas, creating closely fought encounters.
Tamil Thalaivas vs Patna Pirates
Patna Pirates are one of the most successful franchises in PKL history, making their clashes with Tamil Thalaivas highly anticipated.
| Category | Details |
| Rivalry Type | Experience vs Ambition |
| Key Feature | Intense Raiding Battles |
| Fan Interest | High |
Several memorable matches between the two teams have been decided by narrow margins.
Other Teams: Dabang Delhi K.C. | Gujarat Giants | Haryana Steelers | Jaipur Pink Panthers
Strengths of Tamil Thalaivas
Strong Fan Base
Tamil Thalaivas have a huge fan base in South India and Tamil Nadu.
Talented Raiders
It has always invested in top-quality raiders who can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Emerging Young Players
Having already seemingly bred a few young kabaddi players in Tamil Thalaivas, who continue to provide good depth to the squad.
Challenges Faced by Tamil Thalaivas
Although the team has some talent, consistency among the squad have been issues.
Key challenges include:
- Lack of playoff appearances.
- Inconsistent performances across seasons.
- Trouble keeping it going in important games
- Lack of a championship title in the PKL
That pressure would keep the franchise from being a perennial title challenger.
Conclusion
The Tamil Thalaivas are one of the most exciting teams we’ve seen in the Pro Kabaddi League yet to have captured a championship. The franchise has featured wonderful players, developed strong rivalries, and rallied supporters from up and down the country. The Tamil Thalaivas 2025 squad is well-balanced with a good mix of raiders and defenders that could push against the league’s heavyweights, building on their previous seasons after averaging 6800 out of three across finished positions in the last five editions. If the team can continue its positive form this season, it will be one step closer to realising its dream of lifting the club’s first PKL trophy.
FAQs About Tamil Thalaivas 2025 squad
1. Who is the captain of the Tamil Thalaivas 2025 squad in PKL?
Tamil Thalaivas have a strong leadership group, with experienced stars guiding the team during the PKL 2025 season.
2. Who is the most expensive player in the Tamil Thalaivas team 2025?
Arjun Deshwal is the most expensive player in the Tamil Thalaivas team 2025, having been signed for ₹1.405 crore.
3. Which star players are part of the Tamil Thalaivas 2025 squad?
The Tamil Thalaivas squad 2025 features Arjun Deshwal, Pawan Sehrawat, Narender Kandola, Sagar, and Nitesh Kumar among its key players.
4. Have Tamil Thalaivas ever won the Pro Kabaddi League title?
No, Tamil Thalaivas have not won a PKL title yet. Their best performance came in Season 9 when they reached the playoffs.
5. Who is the best raider in the Tamil Thalaivas team 2025?
Arjun Deshwal and Narender Kandola are expected to lead the raiding department for Tamil Thalaivas in PKL 2025.
6. What is the home venue of Tamil Thalaivas?
Tamil Thalaivas play their home matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
7. How many players are in the Tamil Thalaivas squad for PKL 2025?
The Tamil Thalaivas team 2025 consists of 19 players, including raiders, defenders, and all-rounders.
8. What are the expectations from Tamil Thalaivas in PKL 2025?
With a balanced squad and experienced players, Tamil Thalaivas will aim to secure a playoff spot and challenge for their maiden PKL championship.
Read Also: Pro Kabaddi 2025 Schedule | Pro Kabaddi 2025 Players List | Pro Kabaddi Points Table 2025