The Pro Kabaddi League’s 11th season has reached a pivotal juncture, with the recently concluded Noida leg reshuffling the standings and setting the stage for a thrilling race to the playoffs. Emerging as the dominant force in this crucial phase are the Haryana Steelers, who have catapulted to the top of the table with a series of commanding performances. On the flip side, defending champions Puneri Paltan find themselves in a precarious position, their title defense unraveling as they plummet down the rankings.
Haryana Steelers: An Unstoppable Juggernaut
The Haryana Steelers have been nothing short of sensational in the Noida leg, steamrolling their way to eight wins from nine games. Their lone blemish came against the resurgent Telugu Titans, but that has done little to slow their momentum. Coach Manpreet Singh has molded this team into a cohesive unit, with their defense, led by the indomitable Mohammadreza Shadloui, proving near-impenetrable.
Shadloui, with a staggering 51 tackle points in Noida alone, has been the linchpin of the Steelers’ success. But it’s not just the defense that has shone – their raiding trio of Vinay, Shivam Patare, and Shadloui himself have been equally impressive, amassing a combined 284 points. This all-round excellence has propelled the Steelers to an enviable nine-point lead at the top of the standings.
The Steelers are playing like a team possessed. Their defense is rock-solid, and their raiders are finding gaps at will. It’s hard to see anyone stopping them at this point.
– A team official close to the Steelers
Puneri Paltan: Defending Champions in Freefall
In stark contrast to the Steelers’ dominance, the Puneri Paltan find themselves in the midst of a worrying slump. The defending champions, who topped the table after the Hyderabad leg, have seen their fortunes nosedive in Noida. A paltry two wins from seven games, coupled with costly ties against Dabang Delhi and UP Yoddhas, have seen them slide to a precarious fifth place.
Injuries have certainly played their part, with the absence of star raider Aslam Inamdar proving particularly damaging. Stand-in captain Pankaj Mohite has tried to rally his troops, but the Paltan’s usually reliable defense has struggled against the league’s top raiders. With just a 20-point cushion to the teams outside the playoff spots, the Paltan are walking a tightrope as they head into the final leg.
It’s been a tough few weeks for us. Losing Aslam was a big blow, but we can’t use that as an excuse. We need to regroup quickly and find our best form again, or we risk missing out on the playoffs altogether.
– A member of the Puneri Paltan coaching staff
The Chasing Pack: A Tight Tussle for Playoff Spots
While the Steelers have all but secured their playoff berth, and the Paltan cling on to their spot, the race for the remaining four places is heating up. The Patna Pirates, buoyed by the sensational form of Devank Dalal (league-high 194 points), have surged to second place. Dabang Delhi, with the returning Naveen Kumar complementing the prolific Ashu Malik, are close behind in third.
The inconsistent Telugu Titans, fourth, will be hoping for a fit-again Pawan Sehrawat to fire them into the playoffs. The Jaipur Pink Panthers, U Mumba, and UP Yoddhas are all in the mix as well, setting up a grandstand finish in Pune.
- Patna Pirates – 2nd place, 68 points
- Dabang Delhi – 3rd place, 64 points
- Telugu Titans – 4th place, 63 points
- Jaipur Pink Panthers – 6th place, 58 points
- U Mumba – 7th place, 56 points
- UP Yoddhas – 8th place, 53 points
The Final Leg: All to Play For in Pune
As the action shifts to Pune for the final leg, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Steelers will look to maintain their stranglehold at the top, while the Paltan face a do-or-die situation to keep their title defense alive. For the teams in the middle, every match will be a virtual knockout, with no margin for error.
With individual awards also up for grabs, expect the likes of Shadloui, Devank Dalal, and Ashu Malik to up their game even further. It promises to be a fitting finale to a season that has already delivered its fair share of thrills and spills.
It’s now or never for a lot of these teams. The Pune leg will separate the contenders from the pretenders. Expect fireworks from the word go.
– A former Pro Kabaddi League player
As the Pro Kabaddi League’s 11th season reaches its climax, one thing is for certain – kabaddi fans are in for a treat. With the Haryana Steelers leading the charge, the Puneri Paltan fighting for survival, and a host of teams battling for playoff spots, the Pune leg promises to be a pulsating end to an already memorable campaign. Buckle up, because the final dash to the finish line is going to be one wild ride.
