The Patna Pirates, three-time Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) champions, are eager to reclaim the title after falling short in the semi-finals last season. As the most successful team in PKL history with three consecutive titles from Season 3 to 5, they are focused on adding another trophy to their collection.
New Faces and Leadership
Head coach Narender Redhu, who led the team to the semi-finals in PKL 10, returns with hopes of another strong season. The Pirates were one of the busiest teams at the Season 11 Player Auction, adding more than a dozen players to their squad to bolster their chances.
Strength in Depth: Patna Pirates’ Biggest Asset
Patna Pirates’ primary strength lies in their depth across both attack and defence. They invested heavily during the Season 11 Auction, with Shubham Shinde becoming their most expensive signing at INR 70 lakhs, followed closely by all-rounder Gurdeep at INR 59 lakhs.
The raiding unit is led by Sudhakar M, who impressed in his debut season with 103 raid points, and Sandeep Kumar, another rising star who earned 86 raid points in his first season. The attack also features experienced players like Meetu Sharma and Jang Lee, with 267 and 471 raid points, respectively.
ALSO READ: Top 5 Morning Sports News
Defence: A Mix of Experience and Youth
The Pirates’ defence is bolstered by key players Shubham Shinde and Deepak Singh, who have accumulated 151 and 61 tackle points, respectively. All-rounders Gurdeep and Ankit also add defensive depth, contributing 85 and 66 tackle points so far in their PKL careers.
Key Weaknesses: Lack of Key Replacements
Despite their squad depth, the Pirates face challenges due to the lack of quality replacements for key players. The absence of last season’s top raider, Sachin, and former captain Neeraj Kumar may impact their overall performance.
The defence is also weakened without Krishan, their standout defender from last season with 78 tackle points. The attack’s lack of experience, with Jang Lee being the only raider to have played over 60 PKL games, further highlights their vulnerabilities.
Opportunities: Rising Stars Ready to Shine
Patna Pirates’ inexperienced squad offers opportunities for players to step up and prove their worth. Sudhakar M and Sandeep Kumar in attack, along with Shubham Shinde in defence, have the potential to become key figures in Season 11.
Sudhakar M’s impressive debut has set high expectations, and with Sachin no longer in the team, he is poised to take on the lead raider role. Similarly, Shubham Shinde aims to step up in defence, filling the void left by Neeraj Kumar and Krishan.
Potential Threats: Imbalance and Pressure Points
The Pirates’ lack of genuine all-rounders could disrupt the team’s balance. While Gurdeep and Ankit are experienced on paper, their combined total of just two raid points in PKL reveals limitations in attack, adding pressure on the raiding unit.
This imbalance could strain the team, particularly with the experienced Jang Lee and Meetu Sharma needing to rediscover their form. Patna Pirates will need their stars to perform consistently to stay competitive and make a strong bid for their fourth PKL title.
READ MORE:
