The Tamil Thalaivas officially announced that Sanjeev Baliyan gets sacked as head coach following a disappointing PKL Season 12. The team ended 10th out of 12 franchises with only 12 points, falling short of the top-eight qualification mark.
Official Confirmation: Sanjeev Baliyan gets sacked
The announcement was made on the official X account (formerly Twitter) of the team:
“Tamil Thalaivas confirm that head coach Sanjeev Baliyan’s contract has been terminated with immediate effect.”
We thank our fans for their endless support during this tough time.#GiveitAllMachi | #IdhuNammaTeam | #TamilThalaivas | #ProKabaddi pic.twitter.com/Na3mfuVXNm
— Tamil Thalaivas (@tamilthalaivas) November 5, 2025
The franchise further concluded that a new head coach will be introduced in due time and that the Chennai-based team will have a fresh start after a dismal season. The confirmation marks the moment Sanjeev Baliyan gets sacked as the leadership changes ahead of next season.
Baliyan Speaks on Management Interference
After the final match in PKL Season 12, Sanjeev Baliyan alleged that he was not given full authority over team decisions. He claimed that unfit players were preferred over fit ones, and that most strategic decisions were influenced by the analyst department rather than the coach. Captain Arjun Deshwal reportedly supported these concerns.
The controversy quickly drew attention in PKL news as it highlighted the ongoing tension between coaching autonomy and management oversight. Likewise, fans reacted strongly as news of Sanjeev Baliyan getting sacked spread across social media.
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PKL Season 12: Performance and Challenges
The campaign was marked by both on-field and off-field issues. Early in the 12th season of PKL, Pawan Sehrawat, the team captain and India skipper, was released shortly after the Visakhapatnam leg due to disciplinary grounds. Sehrawat publicly denied the allegations, demanding evidence and stating he would retire from kabaddi if the claims were substantiated.
The Thalaivas struggled for consistency as they finished 10th in the standings. Moreover, the disappointing results compounded scrutiny on the Tamil Thalaivas’ internal management and decision-making. Following this, Sanjeev getting sacked became a key topic in PKL news discussions.
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Who is Sanjeev Baliyan?
Sanjeev Baliyan is a popular and respected PKL coach with a wonderful career. He has worked with a variety of high-level teams and achieved national recognition. He went on to become a coach and helped Indian Railways win national championships before making his mark in the Pro Kabaddi League.
Furthermore, he led Patna Pirates to the title of Season 3 PKL and subsequently guided Jaipur Pink Panthers to the title of Season 9. Similarly, he also held key coaching roles with U Mumba and Tamil Thalaivas, earning a reputation for developing young talent, building cohesive and resilient squads.
Jyoti Sharma’s Take
Sanjeev Baliyan gets sacked PKL news points to a deeper issue within the franchises. Baliya led Patna Pirates and Jaipur Pink Panthers to championship titles and helped Indian Railways win national tournaments.
In the case of Tamil Thalaivas, learning how to build trust and stability will be important in future campaigns.
How will the team respond to new leadership, and can they mold it into a winning formula? Follow Jeetwin Sports for the most recent PKL news and updates.
