Chennai: Gujarat Fortunegiants which finished runners-up in the last edition of the pro kabaddi has had a shaky start so far in the ongoing sixth edition of the Pro Kabaddi league. The team is yet to register their first win after a tie and a loss in their first two games.
However, emerging as the team’s best raider so far in the season is Tamilnadu’s K Prapanjan. Prapanjan, played for Tamil Thaliavas last season and was under the shadow of Ajay Thakur. Having moved to Gujarat this season after he was snapped up by the franchise for 38 lakhs in the auction, Prapanjan has become the team’s number one raider by notching up 13 raid points in two games so far.
Prapanjan started his journey with the Gujarat Fortunegiants in Chennai against Dabang Delhi with fans cheering for him. Speaking to News Today, he said that it was a happy moment.
“I am very happy to start the new season in Chennai. Lot of people supported me here despite me playing for Gujarat, I didn’t expect this kind of a love from the fans. A lot of fans had already said me that they will be supporting me irrespective of the team for which I play.”
Asked whether he misses playing for Tamil Thalaivas which now has the services of stalwarts like Manjeet Chillar and Jasvir Singh, he said “Obviously that feeling of not being able to play for my home side was there but we have been trained that even if our sibling is in the opposition we should treat him as an opponent. So with Gujarat Fortune Giants taking me in their team, they have a belief in me and I should play well.”
On playing in a team that reached the finals last year, he said the objective this year for Gujarat is to lift the trophy. “Last year the team missed out on winning the trophy by a whisker. This year our main goal is to win the trophy. We have lot of young players and the team’s average age would be around 25. That’s an advantage and this is a long tournament and our aim is to get good results in the matches.”
About his aim, he said that his first goal is to play well in the PKL. “My primary objective this year is to play well for Gujarat and help them win the trophy. My ultimate dream is to play for India,” he said.