Rakesh Kumar is one of the most reputed names in the national kabaddi circuit. The former Indian captain in his playing days, he played alongside Anup Kumar to take the national team to new heights on the international stage.
The player-turned coach joined the Haryana Steelers camp in 2019, as their new coach and took his team to the playoffs. In an interview with the media, the ex-national captain talked about his new role as coach and his tactics approaching any game.
“My journey from a player to analyst and then to a head coach happened very quickly. I worked as an analyst after retiring as a player and then donned the coaching cap for Haryana Steelers the very next season.
Coaching is very different from playing the sport. It showed me a side of mine, which I did not know existed!”
When asked about his thoughts before any important game, or what advice he usually gives to his players, the player turned coach said:
“My technique is simple, I focus on the youngsters. You do need to go and tell someone like Surinder Nada or Rohit Gulia, what to do. They know their game, they have been playing for years. But, for someone like Jaideep or Meetu, it’s about giving them the required confidence and helping them keep emotions in check!”
Steelers are in desperate search of win vs Titans
The Pro Kabaddi League season 8 has not been so favorable to the Haryana Steelers. The franchise has lost both of its early fixtures and is at the bottom of the points table.
The Steelers had to face defeat in a last-minute thriller against Patna Pirates in their opening fixture, losing 39-42. Luck did not favor them yet again, this time against the Jaipur Pink Panthers, as the inaugural champions took the game away from the Steelers in the final 90 seconds, winning 40-38.
HS will face Telugu Titans on December 28 in the final fixture of game week one. Both sides have yet to find a win in the tournament and will give their all to secure five points on the table.
The Steelers’ defence will have to be right on the money against the Titans, as Siddharth Desai is in red-hot form, and defensive errors would be fatal for the Steelers.
