&w=3840&q=100)
Gujarat Giants name Jaivir Sharma as head coach ahead of PKL 2025 Player Auction
With the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2025 Player Auction to be held from May 31 to June 1, Adani Sportsline-owned Gujarat Giants have made strategic changes ahead of the new season, including a new coaching staff.
The move is aimed at building a fearless, robust and title-contending squad for the brand new campaign in season XII.
Jaivir Sharma has been appointed as the new Head Coach, while Varinder Singh Sandhu will take over as Assistant Coach of Gujarat Giants.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
With over three decades of experience, Jaivir is among the most respected figures in Indian kabaddi. He is a championship-winning coach with an impressive track record and brings a wealth of experience along with tactical acumen to the leadership role.
Jaivir, who has been serving with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) since 1992, has been instrumental in shaping the careers of numerous national and international kabbadi players. Under his guidance, Indian team has clinched Gold medal at prestigious international events, including the Asian Games, Kabaddi World Cup and multiple marquee kabaddi championships.
'I'm excited to be joining Gujarat Giants. I look forward to developing a fearless and humble philosophy within the team, with the aim of making us one of the strongest contenders in the PKL. I'm grateful to Adani Sportsline for placing their trust in me and giving me this exciting opportunity. I'm eagerly looking forward to the PKL auction and building a strong, competitive squad,' said Jaivir.
Since joining the league in 2017, Gujarat Giants has built a strong reputation for grooming star players such as Rohit Gulia, Sachin Tanwar, Sunil Kumar, Parvesh Bhainswal and Pawan Sehrawat, all of whom have become household names and key figures in the league.
Gujarat Giants, the two-time PKL finalists, also take pride in backing young coaching talent and offering them the platform to rise and shine. A prime example is Manpreet Singh, who came through the ranks to become one of the most successful coaches in PKL's history.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Continuing that tradition is Varinder, a talented coach with elite-level kabaddi experience and 17 years of exemplary service in the Indian armed forces. He brings a blend of leadership, discipline, and modern tactical insights to his new role with the Gujarat Giants. Varinder will work closely under the mentorship of Jaivir as he transitions into the league's setup.
Varinder has served as the Head Coach of the Indian women's kabaddi team, leading them to win multiple historic Gold medals, including at the 19th Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China, and the6th Asian Kabaddi Championship 2025 in Iran. He was the coach of the Punjab state team and the Indian Air Force (IAF) at various tournaments, including the National Games 2023 and 2025, where he played a key role in inculcating a winning mindset among young players.
Speaking about his new role and his upcoming PKL debut as an assistant coach, Varinder said, 'I'm really excited to join the Gujarat Giants' family. It's an incredible opportunity to be part of one of the biggest Kabaddi leagues in the world. I'm also eager to experience the player auction for the first time and look forward to building a solid squad for the new season. I'm committed to contributing to Gujarat Giants' success and helping the team achieve its collective goals with our Head Coach [Jaivir].'
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Welcoming the dynamic new coaching staff, Mr Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer, Adani Sportsline, said, 'We are delighted to welcome Jaivir Sharma and Varinder Singh Sandhu to the Gujarat Giants family. Both bring valuable coaching experience and strong credentials to the table, and we are confident that their expertise will help Gujarat Giants achieve the ultimate goal of winning the title.'
'At Adani Sportsline, it is part of our philosophy to support young players and coaches by providing them with the right platform to grow and excel. We believe [Varinder] Sandhu's addition to the team, under the mentorship of our experienced Head Coach [Jaivir], will strengthen our journey towards achieving great things for Gujarat Giants,' he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
14 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Should Kohli come out of Test retirement? What ex-India cricketer said
In a touching message that has reignited hopes among Indian cricket fans, 1983 World Cup hero Madan Lal has voiced his heartfelt wish to see Virat Kohli return to the Test arena. Kohli, who recently announced his retirement from red-ball cricket, left a void in the format he once dominated with unmatched intensity and passion. But for Madan Lal — and many fans across the country — the story of Kohli's Test career may still have a few chapters left. The former all-rounder, while speaking on the popular show CricketPredicta, said Kohli's energy and hunger for the game are far from exhausted. He believes a comeback would not only be welcomed but also celebrated. His emotional appeal has sparked a wave of optimism online, with many echoing his desire to see the modern-day legend in whites again. "Kohli still has a lot to offer" According to Madan Lal, Kohli's Test retirement didn't signal a decline in his game. Instead, he felt it was more of a personal decision — perhaps a breather rather than a full stop. Lal noted that Kohli's intensity, commitment and fitness are still of the highest standard. He expressed that even if the star batter doesn't return immediately, a comeback in a future series would make a big difference to Indian cricket. He added that the presence of a player like Kohli in the dressing room is invaluable, not just for the performances but also for the motivation he provides to younger teammates. A cricketing voice that matters Madan Lal isn't just any former cricketer. With over 100 international appearances and a key role in India's 1983 World Cup win, his words carry weight. Over his long domestic and international career, he built a reputation for grit and resilience — traits he believes Kohli embodies even today. Kohli's 'imposed' retirement? CricketPredicta host and noted cricket scholar Sunil Yash Kalra also chimed in, saying that Kohli's retirement was 'imposed, not due to decline.' Kalra believes Kohli remains one of the fittest and fiercest competitors and suggested that very few walk away when still at the top of their game — hinting that the door isn't fully closed.
News18
25 minutes ago
- News18
Insider's Account On Indian Football: 'AIFF's Professional Structure Suffered..'
Last Updated: The book chronicles Indian football's decline under AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, with the men's FIFA ranking falling to 133. Indian football has deteriorated significantly over the past two years. A new book provides a detailed account of how the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its president, Kalyan Chaubey, allegedly lost their way. The Indian men's team's FIFA ranking has sunk to a dismal 133, its worst in nine years. The upcoming season of the top-tier, which was expected to start in a couple of months, remains uncertain. In his book 'Who Stole My Football', renowned journalist Jaydeep Basu offers an insider's perspective on what he describes as a systemic breakdown of Indian football, including financial mismanagement under Chaubey's leadership. Basu, who previously served as AIFF's Media Director, has closely witnessed the developments within the organisation, which he meticulously documents. 'The entire professional structure of the AIFF secretariat suffered a breakdown since 2024. The laid down process of appointments was not followed in many instances," Basu writes in his book. According to Basu, the situation 'reached its lowest ebb after Anilkumar took over as the secretary general". Anilkumar, who succeeded Shaji Prabhakaran as AIFF Secretary General after Prabhakaran was dismissed in November 2023, had to vacate his position earlier this year following a Delhi High Court stay on his appointment. The book also details the Indian football team's unpreparedness for the Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023. The Indian team played its first group match only hours after arriving at the Games Village in Hangzhou, as the AIFF managed to assemble a second-string squad at the last minute. The team failed to advance to the knockout stage. What is Wrong With Indian Football? Chaubey's strained relations with Croatian legend and former India head coach Igor Stimac are also highlighted in the book. 'Stimac was bitterly disappointed when Chaubey, without consulting the national coach, finalised India's participation in the Merdeka Cup in 2024 during FIFA international window." 'Stimac's biggest complaint was that he never had a chance to explain his side of the story and his plans with the national team because he was hardly given an audience," Basu writes in the book. view comments First Published: July 16, 2025, 16:09 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
IND U19 vs ENG U19: With ‘Naushad uncle' guiding him, England captain Hamza Shaikh slams century in Youth Test
England U-19 captain Hamza Shaikh. Mumbai: Going into the two-Youth Test series against India, England's Under-19 captain Hamza Shaikh was a tad worried about his lean run, which saw him score around 200 runs in 20 innings. However, a few training sessions in Birmingham with Naushad Khan , the father-cum-coach of Sarfaraz and Musheer Khan, who happened to be in England this summer, seem to have done wonders for the youngster's confidence and form. Following those sessions with Naushad, while batting for the Warwickshire 2nd XI, Shaikh — whose family hails from Surat in Gujarat — scored three fifties in four matches. Then, in the first Youth Test against India at Beckenham, which ended in a draw, Hamza stood out with quality knocks of 84 and 112. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'This season, I was struggling for runs but didn't feel out of form. I never felt that I was far from runs, but all I had managed to score was around 200 runs in 20 innings across all formats. Of course, that lean run can also be attributed to the typical early-season tough conditions in England. With green wickets around, batting can be challenging. Now that the conditions are sunnier and the wickets flatter, batting has also got easier,' Hamza Shaikh told TOI from Beckenham on Wednesday. Slightly worried by his son's poor returns with the bat, Hamza's father Iliyas asked Naushad — whom the Shaikhs had met for the first time last year in Bengaluru — to have a look at where his son could be slightly erring. Perhaps, the Shaikhs' Indian connection helped them forge an instant friendship with Naushad and his sons. "When I was in England (both my sons, Sarfaraz and Musheer, were touring England with India A and the Mumbai Emerging team respectively), Hamza's father Iliyas Shaikh asked me to have a look at Hamza's batting and help him recover his form. I trained Hamza for a few sessions in Birmingham, saw him play live in a couple of matches, and took his videos," said Naushad, now back in Mumbai. Inside Lord's: Exclusive Stadium Tour & Must-Do Experiences 'Luckily, Naushad uncle was in Nottingham, which is near Birmingham, and thus we ended up having some good training sessions. It was nice — he spoke about the mental side of the game. The main focus was red-ball cricket. He had seen my videos from the previous couple of games and gave me his feedback. We went to my club and trained there. He watched me play against a few local bowlers. He pointed out a couple of things which could be better. We practiced on a wet surface against the swinging ball,' Hamza revealed. 'We had a good chat on the mental side of the game. Obviously, the way he's prepared Sarfaraz and Musheer has been excellent, and that's the reason why they've scored so many runs in domestic cricket. It was nice to draw on the experience of Naushad uncle. I'm grateful to him. I definitely think the training sessions with him have helped me. We worked on a couple of technical and mental aspects which are really important. He told me about little things that are really helpful,' the 19-year-old said. 'Naushad uncle told me to trust my mind and technique. He enjoyed watching my hundred against the India Under-19 team. He told me that it was nice that I got runs, but there's always room for improvement. Representing and captaining the England Under-19 team is a big honour. It was nice to contribute as a captain,' Hamza said. Elaborating on what technical changes he suggested to Hamza, Naushad said, "His trigger movement was too big and too late, because of which he was being late on the ball. His back-lift was very high, and he was standing too upright in his stance. I only suggested minor corrections in his technique, but he seemed to be in better rhythm afterwards." 'I told him to play every ball according to its merit. I looked to change his mindset a bit. We spoke about his game plan in the middle and how he should look to build his innings. I must say that he's a very good student — he learns very fast. After his training sessions with me, he was getting better with every match. Whenever I go to England, or he comes to India, we are looking forward to working together again. We are in touch on the phone. He keeps sending his videos, and I give my feedback on them. Whenever I get time, I watch his matches,' Naushad explained. 'I also had a training session with Haseeb Hameed (who has played 10 Tests for England but is currently out of favour) and (England leg-spinner) Rehan Ahmed in England. All of them enjoyed and appreciated my coaching style,' Naushad concluded. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
