Haryana Steelers win their first title, but the real winner in PKL is competitiveness

Nine months after losing the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Final 10 against Puneri Paltan, Haryana Steelers finally got their hands on the coveted trophy by defeating Patna Pirates in the season 11 summit clash in Pune.

The packed Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi roared as coach Manpreet Singh guided the Steelers to their maiden PKL title. This victory demonstrates the resounding success of a system dedicated to fostering sporting excellence through cutting-edge technology and unwavering support, year after year.

The triumph of the JSW-owned team continues the recent trend in the PKL, where the league leader emerges as champion. It also highlights the team’s consistency and desire to improve each season. The Steelers retained much of their team from last season and added dynamic all-arounder Mohammadreza Chiyaneh Shadloui to their seven-man roster. Chiyaneh, who was with Paltan last season, not only retained his title as the best defender but also won the MVP award for his overall performance.

A core of local talent, including Vinay, Rahul Sethpal, Shivam Patare, Sanjay Dhull and skipper Jaideep Dahiya – all nurtured within the Steelers system – have brought a unique cohesion to their game. Known for their defensive solidity, the Steelers have combined aggression and precision in both defense and attack this season.

“This team has grown over the last few years. The NYP (New Young Program) was our priority. Most of our players are scouted and developed by us. Jaideep (Dahiya) joined us as NYP four years ago, and now he is our title-winning captain. IIS (Inspire Institute of Sport) also plays a crucial role in helping players reach their full potential. It gives them access to world-class training facilities, sports science expertise and comprehensive nutrition and medical support,” Steelers CEO Divyanshu Singh told Sportstar after the final .

The win also marks a milestone for Manpreet, who had previously experienced heartbreak in three PKL finals as a coach with Gujarat Giants (formerly Gujarat Fortune Giants) and Steelers. Finally, the former Indian all-rounder secured victory against a team he once led to a PKL title in the third season.

Eternal bridesmaid, not anymore: Manpreet Singh (right), who had previously finished second as coach three times, finally savored victory in his fourth final, guiding Haryana Steelers to their maiden PKL championship . | Photo credit: PKL

Curious case of the Patna Pirates

While the Pirates, with three titles to their name, failed in their attempt to win a fourth championship, their presence in the finals reflects the league’s growing success in developing a new generation of talented players.

Led by former Indian Armed Forces coach Narender Redhu, Pirates refrained from acquiring big names in the auction, instead focusing on scouted talents. Although initially underestimated, the team exceeded expectations, comfortably qualifying for the playoffs and reaching the finals.

The young raiding duo of Devank Dalal – in his third PKL season – and Ayan Lohchab – present in his debut campaign – has captivated the public and pundits alike. Devank became only the third raider in PKL history to accumulate over 300 raid points in a single season.

However, Redhu was immediately fired following the team’s failure to win the trophy, a stark reminder of the cut-throat nature of franchise leagues.

Notable Performers: Patna Pirates’ young raiding duo of Ayan Lohchab (left) and Devank Dalal (right) captivated the audience and pundits alike. | Photo credit: PKL

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Edge-of-your-seat encounters

This season saw a marked increase in competitiveness, with 11 of 137 matches ending in a draw and over 40 matches decided in the last minute, including both semi-finals.

Before the Pune stage, only six points separated the teams ranked second and seventh in the standings. Indeed, this edition’s league stage was one of the tightest in PKL history, with only one team guaranteed to qualify for the playoffs before the final matches.

One of the reasons for this renewed competitiveness was the league’s decision to abandon the original 12-city caravan format in favor of a three-city model for Season 11. This reduced player travel and their allowed them to focus more on their game and recovery.

“We wanted this to work as efficiently as possible, particularly to reduce travel times and squad fatigue. Everything we do needs to resonate with as many fans as possible, so we have strategically chosen three important venues for the 12 PKL teams,” said PKL Commissioner Anupam Goswami after the stage. Hyderabad.

Challenges for teams

Three teams have struggled this season. The Bengaluru Bulls, once the pioneers of the league, were a shadow of their former selves. Despite having the most successful player in the league, Pardeep Narwal, the team managed only two wins in 22 matches and finished bottom of the table. Long-time coach Randhir Singh Sehrawat had to search for answers.

Bengal Warriorz and Gujarat Giants also had disappointing campaigns, with the latter parting ways with coach Ram Maher Singh after the league stage.

The Telugu Titans, who had finished last for three consecutive seasons, showed remarkable fighting spirit. Despite losing star raider and Indian captain Pawan Sehrawat to injury, seasoned campaigner Vijay Malik stepped up, leading the team to the brink of qualifying for the playoffs. However, the team coached by Krishan Kumar Hooda failed to crack the top six.

Defending champion Puneri Paltan, who was leading the points table after the Hyderabad leg, was derailed due to injury to skipper and last season’s MVP Aslam Inamdar. Leadership issues, team discord and poor results followed. Coach BC Ramesh was fired and PKL icon Ajay Thakur was made assistant coach under mentor Ashok Shinde, but the team still failed to qualify for the playoffs.

The Future of International Kabaddi

The league’s international aspirations were highlighted by the “PKL Melbourne Raid”, an exhibition event held in Australia during the playoff off day. However, in the tournament itself, only 22 foreign players from six nations participated, including 16 from Iran. Notable international stars like South Korea’s Jang Kun Lee and Nepal’s Ghanshwam Roka Magar saw limited action.

This comes amid the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) banning India’s participation in international tournaments due to the suspension of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI). The IKF’s decision stems from governance issues within the AKFI.

As the 11th season comes to a close, hopes remain high that the league will bridge the gap between AKFI and IKF, paving the way for a more inclusive and global future for Kabaddi.