New Delhi: Haryana Steelers thumped Patna Pirates by a margin of 32-23 in the Pro Kabaddi League season 11 final to lift their first title in the tournament after the franchise made its first appearance in 2017. The celebrations were even rapturous as the players and support staff were gleeful as well as a sense of relief ensued once the final whistle blew at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune.
It was obvious that the Steelers came strong just nine months after missing on the trophy as they lost to Puneri Paltan in the title clash in the last season. Tears rolling down the cheeks of team raider Shivam Patare just during the final raid of the match was all to give an abstract of how Haryana Steelers’ approached their campaign.
The team topped the points table charts with 16 wins and 84 points while enduring six defeats. Haryana were the only team other than Telugu Titans which didn’t settle for a tie, enforcing result in every league stage game. They overcame a revamped UP Yoddhas in the semifinal before averting Patna Pirates’ quest for a record-fourth PKL title.
The Steelers ensured they celebrated with the same exuberance they put on the mat in the last 73-day period. The players jumped in ecstasy, lifted each other on the shoulders with the support team also joining in the middle. It followed with the victory lap at the venue led by the bulwark Mohammadreza Shadloui, who was with the Puneri Paltan in the final of the last season.
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Victory etched in glory – behold the moment of the new 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 – HARYANA STEELERS 🥇#ProKabaddi #PKL11 #LetsKabaddi #PKLFinal #ProKabaddiOnStar #HaryanaSteelers #PatnaPirates pic.twitter.com/zHOAukyCYk
— ProKabaddi (@ProKabaddi) December 29, 2024
Who were the top performers for Haryana Steelers in PKL 2024?
Shadloui’s presence made Haryana Steelers a powerful entity this season given the Iranian international can flourish in either departments. With the presence of Vinay Tewatia and Shivam Patare in the raiding department, Shadloui was always used as a third raider. The 24-year-old all-rounder finished with 82 tackle points and 57 raid points – his best show in the PKL history since making debut for the Patna Pirates in 2021. He won the most valuable player of the season award in PKL 2024.
Vinay was the most successful raider of the team with 164 raid points from 24 games while Shivam Patare backed him with 158 raid points in as many games. Patare was exceptional in the final as he stepped into the shoes of the defender, drawing five tackle points.
Rahul Sethpal was the key for the Haryana outfit in the right corner, pouncing on 73 tackle points to go hand in hand with Shadloui. It was in the final when Devank was targeting Shadloui, Rahul took the opoortunity to make a surprise tackle behind the back.
It all came under the leadership of captain Jaideep Dahiya, who claimed 39 tackle points in the victorious season.
Haryana Steelers clinched their first Pro Kabaddi League title in a thrilling final against Patna Pirates, winning 32-23. Their success follows a dominant season, topping the points table with 16 wins. The win culminates a remarkable journey for the Steelers, who previously lost in the final last season. Kabaddi Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
