Haryana Steelers, one of the consistently competitive teams in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), have made significant strides in their preparations for the upcoming Season 11 by retaining a strong core group of players. With the PKL 2024 Player Auction scheduled for August 15 and 16, the Steelers have ensured they maintain a balanced mix of experienced and young talent to strengthen their squad for the new season.
In the previous season, Haryana Steelers had an impressive run, finishing fifth in the league stage of Season 10 and advancing to the playoffs. They triumphed over Gujarat Giants in the eliminator and secured a thrilling victory against Jaipur Pink Panthers in the semifinals. However, their journey ended in the final, where they were defeated by Puneri Paltan.
The retention of key players like Jaideep, Mohit, and Vinay signals the Steelers' intent to build on their previous season's success. Jaideep was a standout performer, accumulating 68 tackle points, including five High 5s and seven Super Tackles. His defensive prowess was crucial to Haryana's campaign, and his partnership with Mohit, who scored 70 tackle points, provided a solid backbone to the team’s defense.
Vinay, another young talent, showcased his raiding skills by scoring 163 raid points from 23 matches, including six Super 10s and six Super Raids. His consistency and ability to deliver in crucial moments made him one of the most reliable raiders for the Steelers.
However, the team did face some challenges, particularly with Siddharth Desai, a big-name player who struggled to find his form. Desai managed just 82 raid points in 17 games, a performance that fell short of expectations, leading to his release.
Ahead of the PKL 2024 Auction, the Steelers announced their list of retained players, covering three categories: Elite Retained Players (ERP), Retained Young Players (RYP), and Existing New Young Players (ENYP). A total of 88 players were retained across the league, with Haryana Steelers contributing significantly to that number.
Haryana Steelers have laid a strong foundation for the PKL 2024 season by retaining key players who have proven their mettle in the previous edition. With a mix of experienced and young talent, the Steelers are poised to make a strong bid for the title in Season 11. As the auction draws near, all eyes will be on the Steelers' strategy as they aim to strengthen their squad further and go one step ahead this time around to lift the trophy.
Haryana Steelers: Retained Players List
Elite Retained Players: Rahul Sethpal, Ghanshyam Roka Magar
Retained Young Players: Jaideep, Mohit, Vinay
Existing New Young Players: Jaya Soorya NS, Hardeep, Shivam Anil Patare, Vishal S. Tate
Haryana Steelers: Released Players List
Released Players: Ashish Narwal, Mohit Kaler, Siddharth Desai, Naveen, Himanshu Chaudhary, Harsh, Monu, Ravindra Chauhan, Sunny, Chandran Ranjit, K Prapanjan, Hasan Balbool