 "PKL 2018: Tamil Thalaivas hopes for winning start under captain Ajay Thakur")
After an unimpressive home run in the previous season of Pro-Kabaddi League, Tamil Thalaivas head coach Edachery Bhaskaran is confident of the team doing well in the PKL 2018 beginning on October 7.
The aim was to win the maximum number of games, Bhaskaran said.
"We have a balanced squad for the forthcoming season. If we can get some wins under our belt early, it will help us inch closer to the Super Playoffs," Bhaskaran said at an event to launch the team jersey here.
The players were optimistic of winning all the home matches, he said.
About the difficulties a franchise faces when its home leg is scheduled in the final half of the tournament, Baskaran said, "by the time we had our home leg last year, teams had worked out our strategies.
Few players succumbed to injuries as well. These factors could dent a teams chances. It is good that we have it early this time."
While the Thalaivas jersey was predominantly yellow in colour during its debut season, the franchise has opted for a makeover, to dark blue.
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Popular Tamil film star Vijay Sethupathi has been roped in as the face of PKL in Tamil Nadu.
"I have played the sport at a very young age. This is our game. I am thankful (to the organisers) for getting me on board. I hope kabaddi will receive a strong backing in the coming years from the fans," the actor said.
A spokesperson of Star Sports, the official broadcaster, said PKL season five had seen record viewership numbers and they were looking to attract more audience this time.
Here is the full squad of Tamil Thalaivas in PKL 2018:
| Player Name | Defender/All rounder/Raider |
| Ajay Thakur © | Raider |
| Abhinandan Chandel | Raider |
| Anand | Raider |
| Anil Kumar | raider |
| Athul MS | Raider |
| Jasvir Singh | Raider |
| K Jayaseelan | Raider |
| Sukesh Hegde | Raider |
| Surjeet Singh | Raider |
| Darshan J | Defender, right cover |
| Amit Hooda | Defender, right corner |
| D Gopu | Defender, right and left corner |
| C Arun | Defender, left cover |
| Jae Min Lee | Defender, left corner |
| Sunil | Defender, left corner |
| Chan Sik Park | All rounder |
| D Pradap | All rounder |
| Manjeet Chhillar | All rounder |
| Vimal Raj V | All rounder |