Pro Kabaddi League: Son of the soil looks to flip Bulls’ fortunes

Bengaluru: The last time the Bengaluru Bulls became the Pro Kabaddi League champions in 2018, BC Ramesh was the assistant coach of the team. Coincidentally, this remains their first and last trophy in the league’s 11-year existence. 

As Season 12 of PKL approaches, Ramesh, who replaced long-time Bulls’ head coach Randhir Singh Sehrawat early this year, hopes to flip the script for the team who finished at the bottom of the 12-team table (with two wins, one draw, 19 losses out of 22 matches) in the last edition. 

“It was sad to see that the team became weak, especially over the past 2-3 seasons,” Ramesh told DHoS during an online interaction. 

“The Bulls have a huge fan following who are waiting for the team to become strong again. I’m happy to be back as Bengaluru’s coach and take up the responsibility of matching the fans’ expectations,” said the former Karnataka player and India captain from Channapatna. 

In one of the many strategies to rebuild a solid core, Ramesh’s emphasis has been on the defence during the lead-up to the upcoming season. This intent became evident the moment Bulls splurged Rs 1.25 crore on Yogesh Dahiya, who became the most expensive Indian defender in PKL auction history. 

“Since we have an experienced defensive unit now, they will provide strength to the riders who are fairly young,” said Ramesh. 

While Yogesh will spearhead the defence from the right corner position, Sanjay Dhull (right cover), Dheeraj (left cover) and Ankush Rathee (left corner) will be expected to support riders Akash Shinde, Aashish Malik, Ganesh B Hanamantagol and the two Iranian’s Alireza Mirzeian and Ahmadreza Asgari. 

Ramesh, who guided both Bengal Warriors (Season 7, 2019) and Puneri Paltan (Season 10, 2023) to their maiden titles, wants the team to play according to the match situation and not for selfish pursuits. 

“Achieveing Super 10s (raider scoring 10 or more points in a match) and High 5s (defender achieving five or more tackle points) is fine, but the interest of the team always comes first. That is the mentality we focussed on instilling during these one-and-a-half months of training camp.

“Because these are boys who have all played for more than 15 years. I can only tweak techniques. But to play as one unit is what will get us the success.” 

Despite disappointing performances in recent years, the anticipation for Bulls to bulldoze their opponents remains intact. And when the Bengaluru side kicks-off its campaign on the opening day (August 29) against Puneri Paltan in Visakhapatnam, Ramesh and his young team will hope to add to Bulls’ silverware of lone runners-up and winners’ trophies.