Patna Pirates
Patna Pirates will be eyeing a record-extending fourth title in the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League 2025 (PKL 2025). The Patna-based outfit was agonizingly close to winning the fourth title last season but suffered a loss against Haryana Steelers in the final.
Even after the runners-up finish, Patna Pirates decided to part ways with their former head coach Narender Redhu just a few hours after the final. Ahead of the new season, they have roped in former India Kabaddi team captain Anup Kumar as their new head coach.
A celebrated player, Anup was a member of the Indian team that clinched Asian gold medals in 2010 and 2014, the South Asian gold medal and the Kabaddi World Cup in 2016. Patna Pirates will be hoping that their new head coach guides them to the fourth title in his first season.
Patna Pirates Squad:
Patna Pirates have retained their core squad for the upcoming season. They also signed up eight new players in this year’s auction to bolster their squad.
Ankit Jaglan was Patna Pirates’ most expensive player in the auction as they secured his services for INR 1.5725 crore on him. Ankit was the second-highest tackle points scorer last season and will be a key player for Patna in PKL 2025.
They retained defenders Hamid Mirzaei Nader, Thiyagarajan Yuvaraj and Navdeep. They have signed up right corners Sombir Gulia and Amin Ghorbani for INR 13 lacs each. Sanket Sawant (left cover), Saurabh, Prianshu, Balasaheb Shahaji Jadhav (right cover), and Deepak Rajender Singh (right cover) are the other defenders in the team.
Patna Pirates also suffered a big blow with the departure of their star raider Devank Dalal. He had 301 raid points from 25 games last season and losing him will be a huge blow for the Pirates.
Raiders: Ayan, Deepak, Sahil Patil, Sudhakar M, Milan, Ankit, Mandeep, Maninder Singh
Defenders: Hamid Mirzaei Nader (F), Navdeep, Thiyagarajan Yuvaraj, Saurabh, Prianshu, Sombir, Balasaheb Shahaji Jadhav (right cover), Amin Ghorbani (F) (right corner), Sanket Sawant (left cover), Deepak Rajender Singh (right cover)
All-rounders: Ankit
Patna Pirates Schedule:
Patna Pirates will play five games in the first leg in Vizag. They will open their campaign against UP Yoddhas on September 1. It will be followed by three games in the second leg in Jaipur. In the third leg in Chennai, Patna Pirates are scheduled to play three games. In the final leg in Delhi, they will play seven games.
Vizag leg:
- September 01, Patna Pirates vs. UP Yoddhas
- September 02, Jaipur Pink Panthers vs. Patna Pirates
- September 06, Patna Pirates vs. Bengaluru Bulls
- September 08, Puneri Paltan vs. Patna Pirates
- September 11, U Mumba vs. Patna Pirates
Jaipur leg:
- September 17, Haryana Steelers vs. Patna Pirates
- September 20, Patna Pirates vs. Dabang Delhi K.C.
- September 27, Patna Pirates vs. Bengal Warriors
Chennai leg:
- September 30, Telugu Titans vs. Patna Pirates
- October 06, UP Yoddhas vs. Patna Pirates
- October 07, Patna Pirates vs. Tamil Thalaivas
Delhi leg:
- October 13, Patna Pirates vs. Haryana Steelers
- October 14, Patna Pirates vs. Gujarat Giants
- October 16, Bengaluru Bulls vs. Patna Pirates
- October 17, Bengal Warriors vs. Patna Pirates
- October 19, Patna Pirates vs Puneri Paltan
- October 22, Dabang Delhi K.C. vs Patna Pirates
- October 23, Patna Pirates vs Jaipur Pink Panthers