Patna Pirates appoint new assistant coach ahead of PKL 13

Patna Pirates finished 7th last season.

Patna Pirates have announced the appointment of Dinesh Kharab as their new assistant coach ahead of the upcoming Pro Kabaddi League season. The three-time PKL champions continue to strengthen their backroom staff as they aim to return to title contention after a mixed campaign last year.

Kharab is a known figure in Indian kabaddi, with experience in coaching and a strong understanding of game strategy. His addition is expected to strengthen Patna’s tactical planning, particularly in defense and match preparation.

With PKL becoming more competitive every season, franchises are placing greater focus on building strong support staff alongside a balanced playing squad.

The Patna Pirates have built a reputation as one of the league’s most successful teams, having won three consecutive titles earlier in PKL history. However, recent seasons have been inconsistent, and the franchise will be aiming for better execution in key moments.

As assistant coach, Kharab will work closely with the head coach and players during training camps, focusing on improving coordination, discipline, and overall team structure. He is also likely to play a role in developing younger players, a key area the Pirates have traditionally invested in.

How did Patna Pirates fare in PKL 12?

Patna Pirates finished seventh in the PKL 12 standings with 16 points from 18 encounters, including eight wins and 10 losses. They finished their league stage campaign with a score difference of 10.

The Pirates took on U Mumba in the second play-in match at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in Delhi. They won the match 40-31, riding on the back of Ayan Lohchab’s 14 points (12 touch points, 1 bonus point, and 1 tackle point). Navdeep played a crucial role in the defense, bagging seven tackle points.

Patna knocked out the Jaipur Pink Panthers, defeating the two-time champions in Eliminator 1 with a 48-32 margin. Ayan was once again the star performer with 20 raid points, while Navdeep led the defensive unit with six tackle points.

They also knocked out the Bengaluru Bulls from the PKL title race, beating the franchise 46-37 in the second Eliminator. Ayan earned 19 raid points against the Bulls, while Ankit Kumar bagged seven raid points. Defenders Deepak and Navdeep earned six and five tackle points, respectively.

The Patna-based franchise’s run came to an end when they faced a 46-39 defeat against the Telugu Titans in Eliminator 3. Bharat’s 23 points (17 touch points and 6 bonus points) overshadowed Ayan’s 22 points (20 tackle points and 2 touch points) as the Pirates fell short by seven points in the do-or-die encounter.

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