PKL 12: Patna Pirates appoint new defence coach mid-season; Know here

Patna Pirates bolster their coaching lineup ahead of the Chennai leg of PKL 12.

The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 (PKL 12) is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in its history. The addition of a new tie-breaker rule has increased the level of intensity, ensuring that matches go down to the wire and keeping fans on the edge of their seats. 

This season has already delivered an abundance of nail-biting finishes, high-stakes action, and compelling drama, cementing its position as India’s premier sports league. The caravan is wrapping up its second leg in the vibrant city of Jaipur, and now the league moves south for its highly anticipated third leg in Chennai.

Despite the high-octane excitement, the league’s most decorated team finds itself in unfamiliar territory. The Patna Pirates, last season’s finalists, are currently facing a difficult campaign. Pirates are in 10th place on the points table, with only two wins and five losses, and have struggled to find consistent form. 

What makes their current position particularly surprising is the consistency of their roster; the team has kept the majority of their core from the successful Season 11 campaign, with the notable exception of top raider Devank Dalal.

Ahead of their upcoming match in PKL 12, the Pirates have appointed a notable name from the domestic circuit as their defence coach.

Randeep Dalal joins Patna Pirates as defence coach

In a significant mid-season development aimed at reversing their fortunes, the Patna Pirates have appointed Randeep Dalal as their new defence coach.

Dalal, a coach with a rich background and extensive experience with the Services team, will now join the legendary Anup Kumar and Prashant Rai in the coaching staff. The appointment is viewed as a direct response to the team’s defensive shortcomings this season.

Randeep Dalal is a well-known figure in the Kabaddi circuit and currently serves as the head coach of Red Army. He joins the Pirates fresh off a victory in the prestigious inter-services tournament, a testament to his coaching abilities. Crucially, he has a pre-existing relationship with key players in the current squad. 

Raiders such as Devank Dalal, Manjeet Dahiya, etc., and, more importantly, the Pirates’ current captain, Ankit Jaglan, and key cover defender, Deepak Singh, have already played and achieved success under his leadership.

With only 60 tackle points in their first seven matches, the Pirates’ defensive unit has been a major source of concern. The team has leaked points at critical moments while failing to provide adequate support to their raiders, like Ayan Lohchab and Ankit Rana. 

The management is counting on Dalal’s disciplined, service-style coaching to instill structure and aggression in their defense line.

The key question now is whether the appointment of a taskmaster like Randeep Dalal will be the catalyst that transforms the Pirates’ leaky defence into an impenetrable fortress, resuming their campaign on track.

The pressure is now on both the players and the revamped coaching staff to produce immediate results. The upcoming Chennai leg will be the first major test for this new defensive strategy. Fans are eagerly waiting to see if this mid-season gamble will spark the revival the three-time champions desperately need.

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