“He needs to accept this bitter truth” - Manpreet Singh’s advice for Pardeep Narwal ahead of PKL 12 [Exclusive]

Haryana Steelers’ head coach Manpreet Singh has issued a stark reality check for “Record Breaker” Pardeep Narwal, offering an honest assessment of the legendary raider’s declining form and what he needs to do to make a comeback in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2025.

Manpreet, who led Haryana Steelers to their maiden PKL title on December 29, 2024, defeating Patna Pirates in the final, became the only individual to win the PKL both as a captain and a coach. Ironically, he captained Patna Pirates to their PKL 3 title, with Pardeep Narwal playing under him as the league’s best raider.

So Manpreet certainly knows a thing or two about Pardeep, and in an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, Manpreet didn’t hold back, delivering a blunt critique of Pardeep’s recent performances. He said:

“Pardeep isn’t the team’s first raider anymore; he’s the third raider now, and he needs to accept this bitter truth. His performance will improve if he evolves with new skills. If he continues to rely on the same skillset he had nine years ago, it won’t work, as every team plans their defense against him. To succeed, he needs to develop new skills and work on his speed. That’s how his performance can improve.”

Pardeep Narwal, the all-time leading raider in PKL history with 1,801 raid points, is way ahead of the next-best, Maninder Singh (1528). However, his prime years with Patna Pirates, where he clinched three consecutive titles, now feel like a distant memory. Since his move to UP Yoddhas in Season 8, Pardeep’s form has been on a steady decline. His recent stint with Bengaluru Bulls in PKL 11 saw him manage only 111 raid points in 20 games, with the team finishing at the bottom of the table.

Despite the struggles, Manpreet expressed trust in Pardeep’s potential to contribute to a team, albeit in a limited role. On this, he said:

“If Pardeep enters the auction and I am the coach of any team, I would definitely want him in my squad. But I wouldn’t play him as the main raider. I’d use him based on the opponent’s defense, sometimes for 10 minutes, sometimes after halftime, or even at the start, depending on the situation.”

Manpreet emphasized that Pardeep’s revival would depend largely on the raider’s own efforts. He said:

“I’ll try my best to help Pardeep make a strong comeback, but in the end, it’s up to him and his hard work. He needs to bring in new skills and push himself further. That’s what will determine his future, alongside God’s blessings.”

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“Pardeep isn’t the same” - Manpreet Singh’s honest judgment on Pardeep Narwal’s form

Pardeep Narwal made his PKL debut in Season 2 for Bengaluru Bulls but didn’t get much game time. It was his move to Patna Pirates in Season 3 that saw the beginning of the Pardeep Narwal era.

Reflecting on Pardeep’s meteoric rise, Manpreet shared how he was instrumental in bringing the raider to Patna Pirates during Season 3. He said:

“Pardeep Narwal is like a younger brother to me. I brought him into the Patna team from his home during Season 3 when I was the captain. Back then, Kartik Bhai, the team manager, helped make it happen. Since then, you’ve all seen the magic Pardeep has brought to kabaddi.”

However, Manpreet also highlighted the factors contributing to Pardeep’s decline, offering a sobering reality check:

“But now, both Pardeep and his fans need to understand what is happening with him. As we age, our reflexes naturally slow down. Pardeep isn’t the same 18-year-old he was in 2015. It’s 2024, and he’s 27 now. Reflexes do decline over time. Kabaddi isn’t just about fitness, it’s heavily dependent on reflexes. Your eyes need to be sharp, and decisions have to be made in microseconds.”

Manpreet pointed out that kabaddi has evolved significantly since Pardeep’s peak, demanding faster reflexes and adaptability:

“Today’s kabaddi is faster than it was back then. In those days, Pardeep could score 20 points in a match; now, he gets six. We still expect him to score 20 points every match, but it’s not realistic any more. Even scoring 6-7 points now is a big achievement for him.”