Haryana Steelers lift maiden their ProKabaddi title

The Haryana Steelers clinched their first Pro Kabaddi League title by defeating the Patna Pirates in the 11th season’s final on Sunday, December 29. The final took place at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi in Pune.

After a narrow miss in the previous season, where they finished as runners-up to Puneri Paltan, the Steelers emerged victorious this season. They overcame the league’s most decorated team, the Patna Pirates, with a decisive 32-23 scoreline.

The match was tightly contested in the first half with the Steelers holding a slight edge at 15-12. However, in the second half, they dominated the game, extending their lead with a strategic all-out that widened the gap to 27-19, effectively sealing their victory.

Key players for the Steelers were Mohammadreza Shadloui and Shivam Patre, both scoring High 5s and playing crucial roles in their team’s win. Despite a High 5 from Gurdeep Singh and the milestone of 300 raid points by the Pirates’ star raider, the Pirates were unable to counter the Steelers’ robust attack and defence.

This victory was especially significant for Manpreet Singh – a player-turned-coach who secured his first PKL title in a coaching role. Despite having won the PKL as a player and reaching the finals in his coaching career during seasons 5, 6, and 10, the title had previously eluded him.

The Patna Pirates, known as the most successful team in PKL history with three consecutive titles in seasons 3, 4, and 5, faced only their second loss in a final, the first being against Dabang Delhi K.C. in season eight. This defeat marked a rare stumble for a team accustomed to success in the league’s climactic matches.