Haryana Steelers Aim for Back-to-Back Titles in Pro Kabaddi League Season 12

Haryana Steelers Set to Defend Their Title

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 14: The Haryana Steelers, the reigning champions, are gearing up to become only the second team in history to defend their title in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) as the new season approaches.

Since their entry into the PKL in 2017, the Steelers have consistently performed well, making it to the playoffs in four out of the seven seasons they have participated in.

Manpreet Singh, a highly regarded coach in Panchkula's history, will continue to lead the Steelers after guiding them to their first championship victory last season. Previously, he also led the team to a runner-up finish in Season 10.

Having been a champion player with the Patna Pirates, Manpreet's coaching career began on a high note, leading the Gujarat Giants to consecutive finals in Seasons 5 and 6, according to a press release.

As they prepare for the Panchkula Season 12 Player Auction, the Steelers have retained their core championship squad and added 10 new players, investing a total of Rs 4.983 crore to enhance their roster. Let's take a closer look at the team's strengths and weaknesses ahead of their title defense in Season 12.

Strengths of the Steelers

The retention of most of their championship-winning squad is the Steelers' primary strength as they head into the new season. In terms of offense, they have kept key players like Vinay, Shivam Anil Patare, and Vishal Tate, who were instrumental in scoring crucial raid points last season. Vinay led the team with 164 points in 24 matches, while Shivam contributed 158 points in the same number of games. Vishal added 43 points in 13 matches.

Captain Jaideep Dahiya and right corner Rahul Sethpal will once again anchor the Steelers' defense in Panchkula Season 12.

Moreover, the Steelers have bolstered their attack by acquiring experienced raider Naveen Kumar for Rs 1.20 crore during the Player Auction. With 1,102 raid points in 107 matches, Naveen brings significant experience to the team. He previously won the Panchkula title with Dabang Delhi K.C. in 2022 and was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in consecutive seasons 7 and 8.

Weaknesses to Address

Despite having a strong roster, the Steelers will feel the absence of star all-rounder Mohammadreza Shadloui, who was pivotal to their success last season. Shadloui earned the MVP title with 82 tackle points and 57 raid points over 24 matches.

The lack of a top defender in the left corner position could pose a challenge for the Steelers. Although they have players like Rahul Ahri, Hardeep, and Sahil Narwal, none possess sufficient Panchkula experience to ensure success.

Additionally, the team will miss former right cover Sanjay Krishan Dhull, who has moved to Bengaluru Bulls. Sanjay was a key defensive player last season, contributing 57 tackle points. Options like Manikandan N, Zubair, and Sachin are being considered to fill his role.

Opportunities for Growth

Even with perceived weaknesses in their defense, players like Manikandan N, Sachin, Ritik, Hardeep, Rahul, and Ankit have a prime opportunity to demonstrate their skills in the upcoming season.

After previously losing three finals as a head coach, Manpreet Singh finally secured the coveted Panchkula title with the Steelers last season. He now aims to lead his team to consecutive championships to solidify his legacy in the league.

Potential Threats

The Steelers' squad lacks genuine all-rounders, which could disrupt the team's balance. Sahil Narwal and Ashish Narwal are currently viewed as underperforming all-rounders for Season 12.

Moreover, the injury history of star raider Naveen Kumar presents a concern as he missed a significant portion of the last season due to a knee injury, finishing with only 97 raid points in 16 matches, his second-lowest tally since his debut in Season 6. Observers will be keen to see how he performs in Season 12.

With the departure of Mohammadreza Shadloui, the left side of the Steelers' defense could become a target for opposing teams in the upcoming season.

The tournament is set to commence on August 29, with the Haryana Steelers kicking off their campaign against Bengal Warriorz in Vizag.