Chennaiyin FC has added Indian international Pritam Kotal to their team from Kerala Blasters FC. The 31-year-old defender has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the team from Tamil Nadu. With impressive stints at Mohun Bagan, where he won the ISL title, and Pune FC, Kotal is looking forward to joining coach Owen Coyle and bringing his experience to help the team win matches and reach the playoffs. The head coach has expressed his excitement in bringing Kotal to the team, praising his experience and over 50 appearances for the Indian national team.
Pritam Kotal Joins Chennaiyin FC, Bolsters Defensive Ranks
Indian international defender Pritam Kotal has made a high-profile move from Kerala Blasters FC to Chennaiyin FC, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Tamil Nadu-based club.
Background
Kotal, 31, is a seasoned defender with a wealth of experience in both the Indian Super League (ISL) and international football. He began his professional career with Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan in 2014, winning the ISL title in 2020. He later moved to Pune FC and Kerala Blasters, where he consistently impressed with his performances.
International Experience
Kotal's standout performances at club level earned him a spot in the Indian national team. He has represented India over 50 times, playing a pivotal role in the team's success in recent competitions, including the AFC Asian Cup.
Expectations at Chennaiyin FC
Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle expressed his excitement in bringing Kotal to the team, praising his experience and leadership qualities. The defender is expected to play a significant role in bolstering the club's defense, which has been a weak point in recent seasons.
Kotal is eager to contribute to the team's success and help them reach the playoffs. "I am excited to be joining Chennaiyin FC," he said. "This is a club with a rich history and a passionate fan base. I hope to bring my experience and help the team achieve its goals."
FAQs
Q: What is the duration of Kotal's contract with Chennaiyin FC?
Q: What clubs has Kotal played for in the past?
Q: How many appearances has Kotal made for the Indian national team?
Q: What is Kotal's expected role at Chennaiyin FC?
Q: What are Kotal's hopes for his time at Chennaiyin FC?
Barcelona legend Gerard Pique hails the brilliant display of teammate Pedri during their 1-1 draw against Getafe. The Spaniard, who was once Pique's teammate at Camp Nou, has been in top form this season, racking up four goals and two assists in 20 appearances in LaLiga. However, fellow forward Ansu Fati has been excluded from multiple matchday squads and is reportedly being offered to other teams for a potential transfer.
The exclusion of Sanju Samson from the Vijay Hazare Trophy may have cost him a spot in the Indian cricket team for the 2025 Champions Trophy. While he was selected for the T20I squad, he was not chosen for the 50-over squad due to his absence from the domestic tournament. Kerala Cricket Association president Jayesh George expressed disappointment and stated that Samson had failed to respect the association's policy. This decision raises questions about the selection process and the importance of consistency in representing your state team.
The BCCI announced the Indian squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 and Rohit Sharma has been retained as the ODI skipper despite concerns about his form. He will lead the Men in Blue for the first time in the tournament, with Shubman Gill as his vice-captain. Jasprit Bumrah, recovering from a back spasm, has been included in the squad, with his fitness to be tested in the ODI series against England. Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav also make their return to the squad, while Virat Kohli's participation in the Ranji Trophy is doubtful due to a neck injury.
After joining Fulham from Manchester United in 2022, Andreas Pereira has sparked speculation of a reunion with former teammate Paul Pogba by tagging him in a social media post asking fans which player their club should sign. Pogba, who is currently serving a suspension for elevated testosterone levels, has previously had two stints at United but had a difficult time at the club before rejoining Juventus. Pereira's post has added fuel to the fire of transfer rumours, with Fulham rejecting a bid for him from Brazilian side Palmeiras as they compete for a European spot this season.
UFC champion Belal Muhammad faced backlash from fans after claiming that his close friend and training partner Umar Nurmagomedov won three out of the five rounds against Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event of UFC 311. Fans accused him of bias and questioned his objectivity. This controversy only added to the hostility towards Muhammad, with some fans even reminding him of his own loss at UFC 304.
The Indian cricket team's recent announcement of their Champions Trophy squad has sparked controversy over the selection of Shubman Gill as the Vice-Captain. Former player Gautam Gambhir has voiced his support for Hardik Pandya, leading to conflicting opinions on team dynamics and performance. In addition, there is also a rift over the wicketkeeper-batter selection, with Gambhir advocating for Sanju Samson while the Captain and chief selector favour Rishabh Pant. This decision-making process has raised questions among fans about favouritism and the team's interest.
In an intense competition at the National Shooting Championship, veteran shooter Bhavya Tripathi successfully defended her women's trap title while Shardul Vihan clinched his first men's title. Both shooters had to fight tough shoot-offs to secure their wins, with Bhavya and Sabeera Haris going head to head in a thrilling 18-shot showdown. Meanwhile, in the men's final, Shardul outshone defending champion Lakshay Sheoran to claim the gold. The day also saw Madhya Pradesh's Shreshtha Sisodiya emerging as the junior women's trap champion, with a bronze medal win in the women's event as well.
Karnataka has become the second team after Tamil Nadu to win five Vijay Hazare Trophy titles, after they clinched a thrilling 36-run victory over Vidarbha in the final. Ravichandran Smaran's century and fifties from Krishnan Shrijith and Abhinav Manohar helped Karnataka post a big total of 348 for 6 while batting first. Despite in-form opener Dhruv Shorey's third consecutive hundred, Vidarbha's chase fell short at 312 in the 48th over.
In a thrilling finale, Karnataka emerged victorious in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, defeating Vidarbha by 36 runs. Dhruv Shorey's brilliant century went in vain as Karnataka's Smaran Ravichandran and K Shrijith drove the team to a massive total of 348. Despite a valiant effort from Harsh Dubey, Vidarbha failed to keep up with the required rate and eventually fell short. This win marks Karnataka's third Vijay Hazare Trophy title.