Are Patna Pirates Ready to Claim a Record Fourth PKL Title in Season 12?

Patna Pirates, three-time PKL champions, aim for a record fourth title under new coach Anup Kumar. Retaining key defenders like Ankit Jaglan (79 tackle points) and adding Maninder Singh, they spent INR 4.966 crore on eight signings. With Devank’s 301 raid points absent, rising star Ayan Lochab (184 raid points) is set to lead the raiding unit.

For the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League Season 12, Patna Pirates will target a record fourth PKL title after falling short in the Season 11 final against Haryana Steelers. The franchise parted ways with coach Narender Redhu and appointed former India captain Anup Kumar as head coach.

Retaining their defensive core of Hamid Mirzaei Nader, Thiyagarajan Yuvaraj, Navdeep, and star left corner Ankit Jaglan (79 tackle points, INR 1.573 crore), they also reacquired right cover Deepak Singh (64 tackle points) for INR 86 lakh and added Sombir Gulia, Amin Ghorbani, and other defenders. However, the exit of star raider Devank Dalal, who scored 301 raid points and won Best Raider in Season 11, is a major setback, along with the loss of former captain Shubham Shinde (56 tackle points).

This opens the door for young Ayan Lochab (184 raid points) to become lead raider, supported by veteran Maninder Singh (100 raid points in 15 games). The squad, assembled for INR 4.966 crore, boasts a strong defence but lacks quality all-rounders. Anup’s limited success as head coach with Puneri Paltan in the past is a potential concern, yet his leadership and game sense could shape a new winning era for the Pirates.