The post-match press conferences at the Pro Kabaddi League are almost as entertaining as the games themselves. Coaches try to justify their side's performance, praise players and criticize them in equal measure, all while the captain/best player of the day fiddles with the mic and says a word or two.
From some quick-witted statements to potshots at opposition teams, here are some of the best quotes from the Bengaluru leg of PKL 9 -
Dabang Delhi coach Krishan Hooda is a super fun character to be around. A proper veteran of the game, he's full of witty one-liners. Here's one such gem after his side's thumping 20-point win over Gujarat Giants:
"Maine inko kaha ki yeh league match hai, koi Kumbh ka mela to nahi hai toh 12 saal ke baad hoga. Do din ke baad phir match hai. You play a do-or-die match. [I told the team that this was only a league game and not the Kumbh festival that happens once in 12 years. We'll have another game in two days.]" Krishan Hooda
Haryana Steelers coach Manpreet Singh is one of the most outspoken coaches in the PKL . His press conferences are filled with hilarious phrases and references. Here's what he said when asked if he would change the team strategy after the win over Telugu Titans:
"Will you replace Virat Kohli? He came in and won the game at the end [in the ICC T20 World Cup game against Pakistan]. India or Pakistan could have lost that game. Our matches have gone similarly and I don't intend to change the team." Manpreet Singh
Pardeep Narwal isn't a man of many words. But when he does speak, it's worth listening to. Sample this, after UP Yoddhas coach Jasveer Singh said Pardeep would cross 1500 raid points this season:
"There are 17 matches left, coach, I can go past the 1600-points mark! Abki baar 1600 se upar point karke jaenge [I will score more than 1600 points this season.]" Pardeep Narwal
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Bengaluru Bulls coach Randhir Sehrawat is always good for a classic line or two. Here's how he described his team's slow start to matches:
"In all our matches, we're always trailing in the first half. I just don't understand. Pata nahi kya hai ki first half mein yeh kaunsi gaadi hai jo chali nahi rahi. Hamara defence bilkul zero, first half mein. [I don't know why but this vehicle [the team] fails to accelerate in the opening half. Our defence was zero]." Randhir Sehrawat
Telugu Titans captain Ravinder Pahal has a perennial "I'm annoyed" look. Like Pardeep, he's also a man of few words, but his words are hard-hitting. Much like his tackles.
"We have the names and the players but I don't understand the system - are we rushing into things or is it advanced tackles? All our matches get off very to very quick starts. I don't understand what's happening" Ravinder Pahal
Fazel Atrachali, captain of Puneri Paltan, has been in India for long enough now that he summed up the win over Bengal Warriors in Hindi:
"Bohot badhiya match! [Very good game]" Fazel Atrachali
It's been two weeks since and there has been no official update on Pawan Sehrawat's recovery. Former Tamil Thalaivas coach J Udaya Kumar, who stepped down last week, said this on October 13:
"Pawan is not important just for us but for the whole nation. He is a national asset and we will need his services to win the upcoming Asian Games. We will take no risk and bring him back to the team only after a proper rehab. We hope he will be back soon." J Udaya Kumar
Gujarat Giants raider Rakesh, who is PKL9's second-best raider, is playing only his second PKL season but he's not shy to speak his mind. He had an interesting reply when asked how he prepared to play against Fazel Atrachali:
"Coach ne kaha Fazel kuch nahi karega, tu apna khel khel. Fazel se darne ki zaroorat nahi hai. [Our coach told me to not fear Fazel and to simply play my game]." Rakesh
Manpreet Singh, again. This time with some strong words after his side's first game of the season:
"Pro Kabaddi season 9 mein hum khelne bilkul nahi aaye hain, hum is baar kuch bada hi karne aaye hain. Dhamaka uthane aaye hai. Trophy chahiye iss team ko aur yeh team ka banta hai iss bar. [We're not here to just play, we're here to achieve something this season. We're going to make a statement. This team deserves and needs a trophy this year.]" Manpreet Singh