The Haryana Steelers and Patna Pirates gear up for a high-stakes showdown in Match 38 of PKL Season 12 at Jaipur’s SMS Indoor Stadium on Wednesday, September 17. This clash doubles as a rematch of the PKL 11 Final, where the Steelers claimed their first title with a commanding nine-point win over the three-time champions.
Clash of Coaching Titans: Manpreet Singh vs Anup Kumar
This encounter is more than just a contest between teams; it’s a tactical duel between two kabaddi legends. Manpreet Singh, fresh off his championship-winning campaign, has etched his name in PKL history with 97 coaching victories, surpassing Randhir Singh’s record. He uniquely holds titles as both player and coach, having captained Patna Pirates to their maiden PKL trophy in Season 3 before leading Haryana to glory in Season 11.
Opposite him is Anup Kumar, the iconic ‘Captain Cool’, whose decorated career includes a PKL 2 title with U Mumba and multiple final appearances. Now steering Patna Pirates, Anup aims to reverse their misfortunes from last season and reclaim the psychological edge.
PKL 11 Final Rewind – Can Patna Pirates Take Revenge?
Haryana Steelers hold the advantage in recent history, sweeping all three PKL 11 meetings, including the final. Their success last season was anchored by the raiding duo of Vinay and Shivam Patare, both surpassing 150 raid points, alongside a solid defensive core with three players topping 50 tackle points each.
For Patna, heartbreak was familiar. Despite excellent performances from Devank and Ayan, they fell short of a fourth championship. This rematch presents the Pirates with a chance for redemption, though they face the uphill task of countering a well-drilled Steelers outfit.
Ayan – The Raiders’ Rising Star
Ayan has been the Pirates’ standout performer this season, averaging 13.4 raid points per match at an impressive 72% strike rate. His 21-point haul against Puneri Paltan marked one of the season’s top individual displays, highlighting his lethal first-half efficiency (85% strike rate).
However, Patna’s reliance on Ayan is evident — he contributes 57% of the team’s raid points. With Maninder Singh underperforming or sidelined, the pressure on the young raider is immense, and the Pirates’ playoff hopes heavily depend on him maintaining peak form.
Shivam and Vinay – Steelers’ Dynamic Duo
The defending champions continue to depend on Shivam and Vinay Patare to drive their attack. Shivam averages 8.2 raid points per match, excelling particularly in the first 20 minutes of games, while Vinay provides steady support with 7.5 raid points on average.
Their experience against Patna Pirates’ defenders gives Haryana a significant edge, as both raiders understand the opposition’s tendencies and can exploit weaknesses efficiently.
Team Performance Overview
Haryana Steelers – PKL 12 Highlights
- Wins: Crucial victories against UP Yoddhas and Gujarat Giants
- Defence: Inconsistent, averaging 10.6 tackle points per match
- Key Defenders: Rahul Sethpal (14 tackle points), Jaideep (12), Rahul Ahri (12)
Patna Pirates – PKL 12 Highlights
- Struggles: Poor start with three consecutive losses
- Dependence on Ayan: 57% of raid points from one raider
- Defence: Lowest tackle points (41) and tackles (121) in the league
- Key Defenders: Deepak Singh (11 tackle points), Ankit (10), Navdeep (7)
Head-to-Head Record
- Overall Matches: 14
- Haryana Wins: 8
- Patna Wins: 5
- Tied: 1
Match Details
- Match: Haryana Steelers vs Patna Pirates, Match 38 – PKL 12
- Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
- Time: 9 PM IST
- Venue: SMS Indoor Stadium, Jaipur