Sriram looks for more game time on the mat

This time around, the Kanyakumari-born lad is expecting to settle into a franchise which offers him more game time after being sparingly used in the previous edition.

“I would be happy if I am selected by a team which will give me more game time and help me showcase my talent to the world. It will also help me learn a lot from experienced coaches,” Sriram told DTNext.

The 28-year-old will be part of the “Category B Raiders” during the two-day Pro-Kabaddi Auction in Mumbai next week. Asked if he would love to play for home side Tamil Thalaivas in PKL 6, he asserted, “It’s up to the franchises to select who they want in their side. I have been representing Tamil Nadu at the Nationals. It would be a double delight if I get a chance to associate myself with the Thalaivas.”  

The Income Tax employee had the opportunity to share the dressing room alongside 2016 World Cup finalists Meraj Sheykh and Abolfazl Maghsoudlou. “It was great working with international players like Meraj and Abolfazl. I got to know how they play the game. Language was a barrier as it was my first outing in the PKL. Once the tournament progressed, I absorbed a few qualities from them,” he added.  

His side Dabang Delhi finished at the bottom of Zone A in PKL 5. Commenting on what led to the downfall of Dabang during the campaign, Sriram reasoned, “In terms of personnel, we had a very good bunch, but we were hit with injuries. We couldn’t perform to our best on the mat as we didn’t co-ordinate well.”

The former Dabang Delhi man will be glued to his television set during the auction. “Unfortunately, I was not picked by any of the teams during the auction last year. I am eagerly waiting for it,” signed off Sriram.