PKL 11 Season Review: Did overconfidence affect Patna Pirates' dream of winning title?

Patna Pirates finished fourth in PKL 11.

Three-time PKL champions Patna Pirates finished as the runners-up of Pro Kabaddi 2024 (PKL 11) after losing 32-23 to Haryana Steelers in the final. They finished fourth in the PKL 11 table with 13 wins, 7 losses and two draws in 22 matches. They defeated U Mumba in the eliminators and Dabang Delhi in the semifinals to set up the final clash with Haryana Steelers.

Patna Pirates were not a favourite for the title this season and made quite a shaky start to the PKL 11 after losing to Puneri Paltan in the first game of the reasons. However, as the season progressed, the team started shifting the gears. With consistent performances from Devank, NYP Ayan Lohchab, and Ankit Jaglan, the team started winning matches as Devank’s tally of raid points rapidly grew.

Also Read: PKL 11 Season Review: Haryana Steelers’ journey to become champions of Pro Kabaddi 2024

Patna Pirates did raise a few concerns in the PKL 11 auctions when the outfit refrained from buying any big names while the other teams spent in bulk to bring in formidable players. However, the season showed that they were right in the decision as the youngsters repaid their faith in dividends.

Top Performers:

Devank

Devank Dalal is truly the rising star of this season. Devank ended PKL 11 at the top of the raiding charts with 301 raid points. With the same, he joined the elusive list featuring Pardeep Narwal, Pawan Sehrawat, and Naveen Kumar. Averaging 12.04 raid points per match, Devank’s success rate stood at an impressive 70.65%, highlighting his ability to dominate every game.

His performance was punctuated by 10 Super Raids and 18 Super 10s, making him a constant threat on the mat. His attacking prowess and consistent ability to score vital raid points were crucial to the Pirates’ journey to the final. Despite his strong individual efforts, the Patna Pirates couldn’t secure the title, but Devank’s remarkable season in PKL 11 solidified his place among the league’s top raiders.

Ayan Lohchab

Playing his first-ever season in PKL 11, Ayan Lohchab impressed in leaps and bounds. The youngster put up a spirited performance throughout the season providing Devank with the right kind of support he needed. With 193 points in 25 matches, he averaged 7.36 raid points per match, showcasing his consistency and effectiveness. His success rate of 56.44% in raids underlines his skill in breaking through opposing defenses.

Throughout the season, Ayan notched 4 Super Raids and 7 Super 10s, proving his ability to turn the tide in crucial moments. His strong raid game was an essential factor in Patna Pirates’ path to the final. Although the team fell short in the final, Ayan’s performance in PKL 11 eliminators and semifinal was really impressive.

Ankit Jaglan

Taking over the captaincy in the middle of the season, Ankit Jaglan led by example. The young defender performed brilliantly throughout the season taking Patna Pirates to the final. He finished second in the list of most tackle points in PKL 11. In 25 matches, he earned 79 points, all of which came from his impressive tackling ability. Ankit made his presence felt with 8 Super Tackles and 4 High 5s, showcasing his knack for making key defensive plays at critical moments.

With a tackle success rate of 51%, Ankit’s reliability in the right corner made him a standout defender. He averaged 2.84 successful tackles per match, accumulating 140 tackles throughout the season. While he didn’t contribute much in raids, his defensive prowess was integral to the Patna Pirates’ journey to the final, where his skills helped maintain pressure on the opposition throughout the season.

Also Read: PKL 11 Season Review: Did Pawan Sehrawat’s injury cost Telugu Titans’ title dream?

Special mention

Patna Pirates did the right thing by giving youngsters chances even in the crucial games and the players have repaid the faith, with Gurdeep being the best example. Though the youngster played fewer matches (16), he made a notable impact with his defensive contributions.

Gurdeep earned 34 points, 33 of which came from his tackling efforts. He made 68 tackles across the season, with an average of 1.93 successful tackles per match and a tackle success rate of 46%.

His defensive performances included 2 Super Tackles and 2 High 5s,- one in the eliminator and the other in the PKL 11 FInal which highlighted his ability to deliver key moments when the team needed it most. While his raiding contributions were minimal, his presence in the defensive unit was crucial for the Patna Pirates.

Top Performances:

• Patna Pirates 54-26 Bengaluru Bulls (Match 85)
• Bengaluru Bulls 31-54 Patna Pirates (Match 64)
• Patna Pirates 52-31 Bengal Warriorz (Match 55)

Coach’s Report Card – Narender Redhu

What shocked the Kabaddi enthusiasts was that Narender Redhu was released by Patna Pirates right after the PKL 11 final loss. The decision should be strongly condemned because the coach did fairly well with the squad.

He took them to the semifinals in his first year in charge and the finals in his second year, in PKL 11. He made the right decisions, rotated the squad efficiently, built in a core, and gave young players immense chances. One can only wonder what the Pirates’ management felt before letting go of Narender Redhu.

Lessons to be learned

The only lesson Patna Pirates can take away from their campaign is victory comes to one who strives. The team is on the right track of things and maybe the fairly young raiders could not handle the pressure of the final, but if they continue with the right enforcement like Haryana Steelers, they might be able to change the colour of their medal in the upcoming season.

Fans’ View

A team that has won three consecutive titles in seasons 3, 4, and 5 will always live up to the expectations of the fans. Despite a shaky start to the season, the fans will not be too disappointed with the performance of the team, who kept them intrigued with spirited performances.

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