EXCLUSIVE | 'We Will Lift The Trophy': Parteek Dahiya Opens Up On Gujarat Giants Chances To Win PKL 10

The buzz of Kabaddi fans in India has increased after the announcement of the all-important Pro Kabaddi League 2023 auction. The PKL 2023 auction will take place from September 8 to September 9, 2023, in Mumbai. A total of more than 500 players will go under the hammer, which includes big names like Fazel Atrachali and Pawan Sehrawat. 

3 things you need to know 

• The 10th edition of the Pro Kabaddi League 2023 will begin on December 2, 2023 
• Jaipur Pink Panthers are the current champions of the Pro Kabaddi League 
• Jaipur Pink Panthers defeated Puneri Paltan in the finals of the PKL 9 

ALSO READ | Pro Kabaddi League announces retained players list for PKL season 10

Parteek Dahiya aims to lift first PKL trophy with Gujarat Giants 

Indian Kabaddi player and all-rounder Parteek Dahiya, who plays for the Gujarat Giants in the Pro Kabaddi League, landed up in an exclusive conversation with the Republic World. Dahiya opened up on what impact has PKL had on his life and his bond with the Iranian players. Here are some excerpts from the exclusive conversation: 

Q1. What change has PKL helped you develop as a player?

We used to play earlier as well, but now our popularity has increased. More people know us than before. Before we used to give trials for district level and state level competitions. But, PKL has increased our popularity and we don’t have to go and give trials. 

Q2. Has PKL helped you develop skills? 

Yes, we get a lot to learn in the camp and also we have gained a lot of experience. Also, we have got an experience to play with the foreign players. 

Q3. What difference does Ram Meher Singh bring to the team? 

I enjoyed a lot playing under him and the best part about his coaching; He makes us practice skills, till the time we become perfect at them. I have also gained a lot of experience playing under him. He also tells us to attack with certain moves, which can get us points, and we also do the same, which gives us the result. Playing under him is a pride for me. 

Q4. Are Iran and South Korean players a matter of competition for Indian players? 

I don't know about South Korea but Iran will certainly bring a lot of competition to us in the Asian Games. Iran have a pretty balanced team and their defenders are very good. 

Q5. Do you see yourself in India’s Asian Games 2023 squad? 

Any player who plays Kabaddi sees themselves in the Indian jersey but four players, including me, Narender Kandola, Bharath Hooda and Ankush Reddy. One of us has received a call from the Indian camp. We definitely see us in the Indian squad, but I was able to score points in very few matches and I see myself in the squad. But I have not been taken in the camp. 

ALSO READ | PKL 2023: Full list of retained players, along with squad ahead of Kabaddi mega auction

Q6. Toughest defender you have faced in Pro Kabaddi League? 

There has been no one such like that, but I think Mohit Nangal can be a tough defender for me If I play the match against his team. 

Q7. You have many legends in Gujarat Giants, What are your chances of lifting the maiden PKL title? 

Yes, definitely, we will make a good team. We had a good team before as well, but the combination was not as it was expected. We made our combination late, and we won four to five matches. This time, our coach will make a good team and we will lift the trophy. 

Q8. Can India take their gold medal back from Iran in the Asian Games 2023? 

Yes, definitely, India will win gold in the Asian Games 2023.

Q9. Top 3 players in PKL, as per your choice

Pardeep Narwal, Ajay Thakur and Deepak Niwas Hooda

Q 10. How is your bond with Iranian players? 

We had an Iranian player in our team, Mohammed Ghorbani. I had a pretty good bond with him. He used to tell me, ‘brother from another country’. He used to stay with me and I had a pretty good bond with him. 

Q 11. Who is your favourite sports personality and why? 

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, as I used to watch him since my childhood, and Chennai Super Kings is my favourite IPL team. I have watched his biopic, ‘MS Dhoni: The Untold Story’, five times.