Gujarat Giants appoint Randhir Singh Sehrawat as head coach ahead of PKL 2026
Adani Sportsline confirmed on March 11 that Randhir Singh Sehrawat will take charge of the Gujarat Giants for the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League season. He replaces the previous coaching setup after the franchise fell short of their title ambitions in Season 11.
A proven track record
Sehrawat coached the Bengaluru Bulls from the very first PKL season in 2014 through to Season 11, making him the longest-serving coach at a single franchise in the league's history. He guided the Bulls to their only title in Season 6 and reached the playoffs on six occasions across those 11 campaigns.
The Arjuna Award recipient and former India international is widely known as the "Chanakya of Kabaddi" for his tactical approach. Beyond the PKL, he has coached the Indian Railways kabaddi team, leading both their men's and women's sides to multiple national championship titles.
What the Giants need
Gujarat Giants have been one of the PKL's more frustrating sides. The talent has been there at various points, but sustained success has eluded them. Bringing in a coach with Sehrawat's pedigree is a clear signal that the franchise wants to compete for the title rather than settle for playoff appearances.
The most recent PKL season, Season 12, was won by Dabang Delhi, who beat Puneri Paltan 31-28 in the final at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium.
A busy off-season for kabaddi
Sehrawat's appointment comes during a period of activity across Indian kabaddi. Indian Railways claimed the 72nd Senior National Kabaddi Championship in February, beating Maharashtra 49-31 in Vadodara. The Haryana Steelers recently launched a youth kabaddi cup with a 5 lakh INR prize pool. World Kabaddi Day falls on March 24, and the TOISA ceremony on March 21 in Lucknow will recognise several kabaddi stars from the past year.
For Sehrawat, the job is straightforward. He built something at Bengaluru over more than a decade. Now he has to do it again, faster, at a franchise that is tired of waiting.
