PKL 12 Haryana Steelers Squad Analysis for Pro Kabaddi League Season 12

The Haryana Steelers, the defending champions of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 11, are gearing up for PKL Season 12 with a strong and balanced squad. After clinching their first-ever PKL title last season with a 32-23 victory over Patna Pirates, the Steelers have built a team that has a mix of experience, youth, and international talent. Led by captain Jaideep Dahiya and guided by head coach Manpreet Singh, the Haryana Steelers squad for PKL 12 looks ready to defend their title.

One of the biggest highlights for Haryana Steelers at the PKL 12 auction was the acquisition of Naveen Kumar, popularly known as “Naveen Express,” for ₹1.2 crore. Naveen, a former star of Dabang Delhi, is one of the most consistent raiders in PKL history. With 1102 raid points, 16 super raids, and 66 Super 10s in his career, he brings immense value to the Haryana Steelers squad.

Other notable additions include:

Rahul Ahri (Defender, ₹30 lakh): A promising left-corner defender who adds depth to the defensive unit.
Ghanshyam Roka Magar (Raider, ₹13 lakh): A young talent from Nepal who has shown potential in the Yuva Kabaddi series.
Shahan Sha Mohammed (Raider, ₹13 lakh): A raider from Bangladesh, adding international flair to the squad.
Ashish Narwal (All-Rounder, ₹15 lakh): A versatile player who can contribute in both raiding and defense.
Hardeep Kandola (Defender, ₹13 lakh): A familiar face returning to strengthen the defense.

These new players, combined with the retained core, make the Haryana Steelers squad a strong contender for PKL 12.

Haryana Steelers Squad for PKL 12

The Haryana Steelers squad for PKL 12 consists of 20 players, including nine raiders, nine defenders, and two all-rounders. Below is the complete lineup:

Raiders: Naveen Kumar, Shivam Patare, Vinay Tevathia, Shahan Sha Mohammed, Ghanshyam Roka Magar, Mayank Saini, Jayasoorya NS, Vishal Tate, Vikas Jadhav
Defenders: Jaideep Dahiya, Rahul Sethpal, Rahul Ahri, Ritik Gurjar, Zubair Malik, Hardeep Kandola, Ankit Dhull, Sachin Dahiya, N Manikandan
All-Rounders: Ashish Narwal, Sahil Narwal

This squad was finalized during the PKL Season 12 player auctions held on May 31 and June 1, 2025, in Mumbai. The team retained 10 key players from their championship-winning squad and added new faces, including star raider Naveen Kumar, to strengthen their lineup.

Strengths of the Haryana Steelers Squad

The Steelers’ defense was the best in PKL Season 10 and 11, and they’ve maintained their strength in this area for Season 12. The duo of Jaideep Dahiya and Rahul Sethpal forms a solid defensive unit. Jaideep, the team’s captain and left cover, has 231 tackle points in 87 matches across four seasons. Rahul Sethpal, the right corner, contributed 76 tackle points in PKL 11, making him one of the top defenders in the league.

The addition of Naveen Kumar has transformed the Haryana Steelers squad’s raiding department. In PKL 11, the team relied heavily on Vinay Tevathia (545 raid points in 100 matches) and Shivam Patare (287 raid points in two seasons). Now, with Naveen’s experience and consistency, the raiding unit is one of the best in PKL 12. Naveen’s 82.13% not-out rate and ability to score Super 10s make him a game-changer.

The Haryana Steelers squad strikes a good balance between offence and defense. Head coach Manpreet Singh, who led the team to the PKL 11 title, has emphasized building coordination between the raiding and defensive units. This balance makes the Steelers a well-rounded team capable of handling tough opponents.

Weaknesses of the Haryana Steelers Squad

Despite the addition of Naveen Kumar, the raiding unit still relies heavily on him, Vinay, and Shivam Patare. Other raiders, such as Vikas Jadhav, Jayasoorya NS, Vishal Tate and Mayank Saini, lack significant PKL experience. If key raiders like Naveen or Vinay face injuries or loss of form, the team could struggle to maintain their attacking momentum.

The defensive duo of Jaideep and Rahul Sethpal are the backbone of the team. However, players like N Manikandan, Hardeep, and Sachin Dahiya are relatively new to the PKL stage. If any of the main defenders underperform or get injured, the less experienced players will need to step up, which could be a risk.

While Ashish Narwal and Sahil Narwal are capable all-rounders, they are not yet in the same league as top PKL all-rounders like Mohammadreza Shadloui or Pawan Sehrawat. The team may lack the versatility that a star all-rounder brings, especially in high-pressure matches.

Key Players to Watch in PKL 12

Several players in the Haryana Steelers squad are expected to play crucial roles in PKL 12. Here are the top five players to watch:

Naveen Kumar (Raider): With 1,102 raid points and 66 Super 10s, Naveen is the team’s biggest asset. His ability to lead the raiding unit will be key to the Steelers’ title defense.
Jaideep Dahiya (Defender): As captain and left cover, Jaideep’s 231 tackle points and leadership make him vital to the team’s success.
Rahul Sethpal (Defender): With 76 tackle points in PKL 11, Rahul is a reliable right corner who can shut down opposing raiders.
Shivam Patare (Raider): Shivam’s 167 raid points in PKL 11 show his potential as a lead raider alongside Naveen.
Vinay Tevathia (Raider): A consistent performer with 545 raid points, Vinay will support Naveen in the raiding department.

Head Coach Manpreet Singh’s Strategy

Manpreet Singh, a former PKL champion with Patna Pirates, has been instrumental in the Steelers’ success. After guiding the team to their first title in PKL 11, he aims to maintain the same level of performance in PKL 12. Manpreet has emphasized the importance of coordination between the raiding and defensive units. He believes the mix of youth and experience in the Haryana Steelers squad will help them stay competitive. His strategy focuses on maintaining a strong defense while leveraging Naveen Kumar’s raiding skills to outscore opponents.

Haryana Steelers’ Journey in PKL

Since joining the Pro Kabaddi League in 2017, the Haryana Steelers have grown into a strong team. They reached the playoffs in their debut season and made it to the final in Season 10, only to fall short. However, their victory in PKL 11 marked a turning point, proving their ability to compete at the highest level.

The Haryana Steelers squad for PKL 12 is a well-balanced team with a strong defense, a powerful raiding unit led by Naveen Kumar. While they face challenges like inexperienced raiders and reliance on key defenders, their overall squad depth and coaching make them a top contender. As the defending champions, the Haryana Steelers are ready to take on the Pro Kabaddi League 2025 with confidence.