Kabaddi Masters: Ajay Thakur on Feeling the India v Pak “Pressure”

The Kabaddi Masters opener will also be Pro Kabaddi League’s highest paid player Monu Goyat’s India debut.

Captain Ajay Thakur speak to The Quint ahead of India’s Kabaddi Masters opener against Pakistan. 

(Photo: The Quint)

Video Editor: Sandeep Suman

Six countries, one trophy, and a whole lot of Kabaddi action all the way in Dubai! Yep, that’s the Kabaddi Masters, which all set to kick off from 22 June. And to make things more exciting India will be taking on Pakistan in the tournament opener.

All eyes will be on captain Ajay Thakur and his boys as India start their campaign in the week-long tournament.

Every time there’s a match with Pakistan there’s a different level of excitement in the team. People from across the country are messaging us on social media, asking us to play well against Pakistan and not give them any chance.

Ajay Thakur, Indian Kabaddi Captain

“Everyone is saying that you can lose to any team but not Pakistan. So, there is always psychological pressure before games against Pakistan. Not only us, maybe the they are also under pressure. But somewhere in my mind, I know we have to plan and play against Pakistan,” he added.

The Kabaddi Masters opener will be special for another reason. The game will mark Pro Kabaddi League’s (PKL) highest-paid player Monu Goyat’s debut for India.

The 25-year-old from Haryana was bagged by Haryana Steelers for a record-breaking Rs 1.51 crore in the PKL auction this year.

There is some pressure, not because of the media. I am playing for India for the first time. Playing in leagues is different from playing for India and that too against Pakistan. So there is some pressure but not so much that I’ll let it affect my game.

Monu Goyat, Indian Kabaddi Player

The week-long tournament, being organised by the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) in consultation with key kabaddi federations across the globe, will feature teams from India, Pakistan, Argentina, South Korea, Iran and Kenya.

Ahead of the big game, India captain Ajay Thakur had just one message for the fans:

This game has only become so big because of you. Any game that doesn’t have fans or followers cannot grow. So I hope you keep supporting Kabaddi like this.