Haryana Steelers: PKL History, Achievements, Social Media and More

Haryana is known as the heartland of kabaddi in India. The state has produced some of the best kabaddi players in the country for many years. When the Pro Kabaddi League expanded from eight teams to twelve teams in Season 5, Haryana finally got its own team called Haryana Steelers. Since 2017, Haryana Steelers have become one of the most successful teams in PKL, winning their first championship in Season 11.

The journey of Haryana Steelers shows hard work, smart planning, and never giving up. From their debut season to becoming champions, the Steelers have built a team that represents the fighting spirit of Haryana kabaddi. Their story is about building a strong team, facing difficult times, and finally reaching the top of Pro Kabaddi League.

Season 5 (2017): Strong Start

Haryana Steelers entered the Pro Kabaddi League in Season 5 in 2017. The team was owned by JSW Sports, which is part of the JSW Group. JSW Sports believed in building a strong kabaddi team that would represent Haryana’s rich kabaddi culture. The team’s home ground is Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula.​

For their first season, Haryana Steelers brought in experienced players. Surender Nada became the captain of the team. The squad also included strong defenders like Dharmaraj Cheralathan and Amit Hooda. For raiding, they signed Monu Goyat and Kuldeep Singh. Rakesh Kumar, the famous kabaddi player, became the head coach.​

Haryana Steelers made a great start to their first season. The team won their opening match against Patna Pirates. After not winning in their first six matches, the Steelers finally got their first win, which made their fans very happy. The team played attacking kabaddi with strong defense.​

During Season 5, Haryana Steelers showed they could compete with experienced teams. In one match, they beat Dabang Delhi 27-24, showing their defensive strength. The match was very close, but Haryana’s defenders held firm under pressure.​​

The team played 22 matches in Season 5. They won 13 matches, lost 5 matches, and drew 4 matches.With 79 points, they finished at 3rd position and reached the playoffs in their very first season. This was a great achievement for a new team. Even though they did not win the championship, Haryana Steelers proved they belonged in Pro Kabaddi League.​

Season 6 (2018): Learning Season

After a good debut season, Haryana Steelers faced a very difficult Season 6 in 2018. The team made changes to their squad before the season started. Dharmaraj Cheralathan became the captain. Vikash Kandola was brought in as the main raider along with Prashanth Kumar Rai. The defense was led by Amit Hooda, Vikas Kale, and Ravi Kumar.​

However, Season 6 became the worst season in Haryana Steelers history. The team struggled in both raiding and defense. Vikash Kandola tried his best to score raid points, but he did not get enough support from other raiders. Prashanth Kumar Rai also worked hard but could not change the team’s fortunes.​​

The defense could not stop opposition raiders. Captain Dharmaraj Cheralathan was dealing with injuries and could not play at his best level. The team lost many matches by small margins, which was very disappointing.​

Haryana Steelers played 22 matches and won only 6 matches while losing 14 matches and drew 2 matches. With just 42 points, they finished at the last position (6th) in the league table. This was a big setback after their good debut season. The management realized they needed to rebuild the team with better planning.​

Season 7 (2019): Back to the Playoffs

Haryana Steelers came back strong in Season 7 in 2019. The team kept Dharmaraj Cheralathan as captain and focused on building a better squad. Vikash Kandola was retained as the main raider. They also signed Vinay and Prashanth Kumar Raias raiders.​

The coaching remained with Rakesh Kumar, who worked hard to improve the team’s performance. The team brought in better defenders including Vikas Kale and Kuldeep Singh to support captain Dharmaraj.​

Season 7 was much better for Haryana Steelers. They started the season by beating Puneri Paltan 34-24. The team showed they had learned from their mistakes in Season 6.​

Vikash Kandola became the star raider of the season. He scored 195 raid points with 11 Super 10s, which made him one of the top raiders in PKL. His raiding partner Vinay also did very well, scoring 129 raid points in 23 matches. This raiding combination worked perfectly for Haryana Steelers.​

Prashanth Kumar Rai provided good support as secondary raiders. Together, they scored over 150 points and gave the team depth in attack. The defense improved a lot from the previous season. Captain Dharmaraj Cheralathan scored 46 tackle points despite dealing with injuries.​

However, the team faced one very difficult match against Bengaluru Bulls. Pawan Sehrawat scored a record-breaking 39 raid points in one match, and Haryana Steelers lost 39-56. This was the highest individual score in PKL history at that time. Despite this loss, the team continued fighting.​

Haryana Steelers played 22 matches and won 13 matches, lost 8 matches, and drew 1 match. With 71 points, they finished at 5th position and reached the playoffs. In the eliminator match, they lost to Bengal Warriors and exited the tournament. Even though they did not reach the final, finishing 5th after coming last in Season 6 was a big achievement.​

Season 8 (2021-22): New Squad

After a gap of two years because of the pandemic, PKL returned with Season 8 in 2021-22. Haryana Steelers made big changes before the season. They retained Vikash Kandola as their elite player, showing trust in their star raider. They also kept young players Vinay, Chand Singh, and Vikas Chhillar.​

At the player auction, Haryana Steelers made some bold decisions. They bought Rohit Gulia for Rs. 83 lakh. They also signed Brijendra Singh Chaudhary for Rs. 55 lakh. Vikash Kandola became the captain of the team.​​ 

The team brought back experienced defenders like Surender Nada and Rajesh Narwal to add balance to the young squad. The idea was to mix youth energy with experienced wisdom.​

Season 8 showed mixed results for Haryana Steelers. Vikash Kandola continued to be their best raider and scored 14 points in a close match against Jaipur Pink Panthers. Vinay and Rohit Gulia also contributed well with both raiding and all-round play. However, the team struggled to win matches consistently.​

Haryana Steelers played 22 matches and won 10 matches, lost 9 matches, and drew 3 matches. With 64 points, they finished at 7th position and missed the playoffs by a small margin. The team came very close to making the playoffs but could not qualify. This was disappointing but showed they were improving.​

Season 9 (2022): Close but Not Enough

For Season 9 in 2022, Haryana Steelers made more changes. Joginder Narwal became the captain of the team. The squad brought in new raiders Manjeet and Meetu Sharma, who formed a very good raiding combination.​

Manjeet and Meetu Sharma became the stars of Season 9 for Haryana Steelers. Manjeet scored 149 raid points and also added 14 tackle points, showing his all-round skills. Meetu Sharma scored 135 raid points and was a very dangerous raider. This raiding pair caused problems for many opposition defenses. Rakesh Narwal provided support with 48 raid points.​

The defense was led by Jaideep Dahiya and Mohit Nandal, who formed the best cover defender pair in Season 9. Jaideep scored 54 tackle points while Mohit scored 44 tackle points. All-rounder Nitin Rawal also helped with 35 tackle points.​

During the season, Haryana Steelers played some excellent matches. They fought hard against tough teams and showed great spirit. In their last few matches, they won several games and tried to reach the playoffs. However, they lacked consistency throughout the season.​

The team started slowly with three wins and four losses in the first part of the season. They could not recover fully despite playing better in the second half. Haryana Steelers played 22 matches and won 10 matches, lost 10 matches, and drew 2 matches. With 61 points, they finished at 7th position. They missed the playoffs again, which was very disappointing.​

The team was very close to making the playoffs but fell just short. It was like Season 8 repeated itself – good performance but no playoff place. However, players like Jaideep Dahiya, Manjeet, and Meetu Sharma showed they had great talent for the future.​

Season 10 (2023-24): First Final Appearance

Season 10 became a turning point for Haryana Steelers. The team made smart decisions before the season started. Manpreet Singh, the legendary kabaddi player and former Indian captain, became the head coach. This was a big change from Rakesh Kumar who had coached the team since their debut.​

Jaideep Dahiya was made the captain of the team. This showed the management’s trust in the young defender who had been performing well for several seasons. The team built a strong defensive unit with Jaideep, Mohit Nandal, and Rahul Sethpal. They also signed the Iranian defender Mohammadreza Chiyaneh to strengthen the defense further.​

For raiding, Haryana Steelers brought in Vinay, Shivam Patare, and Vishal Tate. These raiders were not big stars but played smart team kabaddi. The focus was on building a balanced team instead of depending on one superstar.​

The strategy worked perfectly. Haryana Steelers had an amazing Season 10. Their defense became one of the best in PKL history. The defensive trio of Jaideep Dahiya, Mohit Nandal, and Rahul Sethpal scored 209 tackle points combined. This was more than the entire Bengal Warriors team scored in 22 games.​

Mohammadreza Chiyaneh brought experience and calmness to the defense. His tackles were very accurate and he rarely made mistakes. Jaideep Dahiya led from the front as captain and organized the defense brilliantly. Mohit Nandal and Rahul Sethpal provided excellent support.​

The raiders also played their part perfectly. Vinay, Shivam Patare, and Vishal Tate did not try to be heroes but scored points consistently. They played smart kabaddi and supported each other well. The team had one of the best defensive records in PKL history.​

Haryana Steelers played 22 matches and won 13 matches, lost 8 matches, and drew 1 match. With 70 points, they finished at 5th position in the league table. The team reached the playoffs with great confidence.​

In the playoffs, Haryana Steelers continued their excellent form. They reached the final for the first time in their history. The final was against Puneri Paltan on March 1, 2024, at the GMC Balayogi Sports Complex in Hyderabad.​

The final was a very close and tense match. Both teams played carefully because they knew one mistake could cost them the championship. Vinay scored 9 raid points for Haryana Steelers. The defense fought hard but could not stop Puneri Paltan completely.​

In the end, Haryana Steelers lost 25-28 to Puneri Paltan. It was heartbreaking to lose the final after coming so close. However, reaching the final was a huge achievement. The team showed they could compete at the highest level. Players like Jaideep, Mohit Nandal, Rahul Sethpal, and Chiyaneh won respect from everyone.​

Season 11 (2024): Championship Glory

After losing the Season 10 final, Haryana Steelers were determined to win the championship in Season 11. The team kept most of their core players. Jaideep Dahiya continued as captain. Manpreet Singh remained the head coach.​

The big change was signing Mohammadreza Shadloui to replace Mohammadreza Chiyaneh. Shadloui was an excellent all-rounder from Iran who could both raid and defend. This gave Haryana Steelers more options during matches.​​

The defense remained strong with Jaideep Dahiya, Rahul Sethpal, and Mohit Nandal. The raiding department had Shivam Patare, Vinay, and the new addition Mohammadreza Shadloui. The team was well balanced in all departments.​

Season 11 was the best season in Haryana Steelers history. The team played excellent kabaddi throughout the tournament. They won matches regularly and topped the league table. Their defense was rock solid and very difficult to break. The raiders scored points when needed and supported the team strategy.​

Haryana Steelers played 22 matches and won 16 matches while losing only 6 matches. With 84 points, they finished at 1st position in the league standings. This was an incredible performance showing their dominance throughout the season.​

In the playoffs, Haryana Steelers were unstoppable. They reached the final and faced Patna Pirates. The final was played at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune.​

The championship final was a complete performance by Haryana Steelers. The team played with confidence and controlled the match. Shivam Patare led the raiding with 9 points. Mohammadreza Shadloui scored 7 points showing his all-round abilities. Vinay added 6 points to support the raiders.​

The defense was brilliant as always. Jaideep Dahiya, Rahul Sethpal, and other defenders stopped Patna Pirates raiders at crucial moments. The team worked together perfectly and executed their game plan.​

Haryana Steelers won 32-23 against Patna Pirates to become champions for the first time. The victory was very emotional for everyone connected with the team. After eight seasons of hard work, Haryana Steelers finally won the PKL championship.​

The celebrations were amazing. Players, coaches, management, and fans all celebrated together. JSW Sports and the entire Haryana Steelers family were very proud of this achievement. The team had achieved what they had dreamed of since 2017.​

Season 12 (2025): Another Playoffs Appearance

As defending champions, Haryana Steelers entered Season 12 with high hopes. The team wanted to become only the second franchise after Patna Pirates to win back-to-back championships. Jaideep Dahiya continued as captain with Rahul Sethpal as vice-captain. Manpreet Singh remained the head coach.​

However, there was one big change. Mohammadreza Shadloui, who played a key role in winning the championship, left the team. This was a big loss because he was an excellent all-rounder. To replace him, Haryana Steelers signed Naveen Kumar, a strong raider, at the auction.​​

The team retained most of their championship-winning squad. The raiders included Naveen Kumar, Shivam Patare, Vinay Tevathia, and others. The defense had Jaideep Dahiya, Rahul Sethpal, Rahul Ahri, Hardeep Kandola, and more. The squad looked strong despite missing Shadloui.​

Season 12 showed that Haryana Steelers were still one of the best teams in PKL. They played consistently throughout the season and won most of their matches. The defense remained very strong with Jaideep and Rahul Sethpal leading from the front. The raiders adjusted well to playing without Shadloui.​

Haryana Steelers played 18 matches in the league stage and won 10 matches while losing 8 matches. They finished at 5th position in the league table, showing they were still title contenders.​

In the playoffs, Haryana Steelers fought hard and reached the playoffs for the second consecutive season. This showed the consistency and quality of the team. They faced Jaipur Pink Panthers in the Eliminator 1​.

Despite losing Mohammadreza Shadloui, Haryana Steelers proved they had built a strong system that could compete at the highest level. The team reached back-to-back finals, which very few teams have achieved in PKL history.​​

Season	Year	Total Matches	Won	Lost	Tied	Points	League Standing
5	2017	22	13	5	4	79	3rd (Playoffs)
6	2018	22	6	14	2	42	6th
7	2019	22	13	8	1	71	5th (Playoffs – Lost Eliminator)
8	2021-22	22	10	9	3	64	7th
9	2022	22	10	10	2	61	7th
10	2023-24	22	13	8	1	70	5th (Runners-up)
11	2024	22	16	6	0	84	1st (Champions)
12	2025	18	10	8	0	20	5th

Key Players Who Made Haryana Steelers Great

Many talented players have played for Haryana Steelers over the years. Some of them became stars and helped build the team’s success.

Jaideep Dahiya

Jaideep Dahiya is the most important player in Haryana Steelers history. He is a left cover defender who reads the game very well. Jaideep has played 87 PKL matches and scored 231 raid points and 227 tackle points. His all-round skills make him very valuable.​

Jaideep became the captain before Season 10 and led the team to two consecutive finals. Under his leadership, Haryana Steelers won their first championship in Season 11. He is calm, smart, and always makes good decisions during pressure situations. Jaideep organizes the defense brilliantly and motivates his teammates.​

His loyalty to Haryana Steelers and consistent performance make him a legend of the franchise. Jaideep continues to lead the team in Season 12 and remains their most important player.​

Vikash Kandola 

Vikash Kandola was the first big star of Haryana Steelers. He joined the team in Season 6 and became their main raider for several seasons. Vikash is a skilled raider who can score points in different ways. He is very quick and smart on the kabaddi mat.​

In Season 7, Vikash had his best season with 195 raid points and 11 Super 10s. This made him one of the top raiders in PKL. He was the highest scorer for Haryana Steelers with 423 raid points in his first few seasons. Vikash was retained as the elite player for Season 8 and became the captain.​

His raiding brought many victories to Haryana Steelers during their early years. Even though he is not with the team now, Vikash Kandola will always be remembered as an important player in Haryana Steelers history.​

Rahul Sethpal

Rahul Sethpal is a right corner defender who has been very important for Haryana Steelers. He is strong, reliable, and rarely makes mistakes. Rahul’s tackles are well-timed and effective.​

In the championship-winning Season 11, Rahul scored 73 tackle points in 24 matches. This showed his consistency and quality. He forms an excellent defensive partnership with captain Jaideep Dahiya. The two defenders understand each other very well and work together perfectly.​

Rahul Sethpal is the vice-captain of Haryana Steelers for Season 12. His experience and calm nature help the team during difficult moments. He is one of the most trusted players in the squad.​

Mohammadreza Shadloui

Mohammadreza Shadloui joined Haryana Steelers for Season 11 and became a key player immediately. He is an Iranian all-rounder who can both raid and defend very well. This made him very useful for the team because he could play in different positions.​​

In the Season 11 final, Shadloui scored 7 points, which helped Haryana Steelers win the championship. His all-round performance throughout the season was excellent. He could score raid points when needed and also help in defense.​​

After winning the championship, Shadloui left the team before Season 12. His departure was a big loss for Haryana Steelers. However, his contribution in winning the first championship will always be remembered.​​

Shivam Patare

Shivam Patare has been an important raider for Haryana Steelers in recent seasons. He is not a flashy raider but plays smart and effective kabaddi. Shivam scores points regularly and does not take unnecessary risks.​

In the Season 11 final, Shivam scored 9 points, which was the highest for Haryana Steelers. This showed his big-match temperament and ability to perform under pressure. He continues to be a key raider for the team in Season 12.​

Shivam’s consistency makes him very valuable. The team can always depend on him to score points when needed.​

Vinay

Vinay has played for Haryana Steelers in multiple seasons. He is an all-rounder who contributes in both raiding and defense. Vinay is known for his fighting spirit and never-give-up attitude.​

In Season 7, Vinay scored 129 raid points in 23 matches, which was an excellent performance. He formed a good partnership with Vikash Kandola that season. Vinay was retained by the team for Season 8 because of his consistent performances.​

In the Season 10 final, Vinay scored 9 raid points even though the team lost. In the Season 11 championship-winning campaign, he scored 6 points in the final. Vinay continues to play for Haryana Steelers in Season 12 as Vinay Tevathia.​

Other Important Players

Many other players have contributed to Haryana Steelers’ success:

• Surender Nada was the first captain of Haryana Steelers in Season 5 and led the team to playoffs​
• Dharmaraj Cheralathan captained the team in Season 6 and 7, bringing experience to young players​
• Mohit Nandal has been an excellent cover defender for multiple seasons and formed a great pair with Jaideep Dahiya​
• Manjeet and Meetu Sharma were the star raiders in Season 9 with excellent raiding performances​
• Prashanth Kumar Rai scored many important raid points in Season 6 and 7​​
• Rohit Gulia was the most expensive buy in Season 8 auction and brought all-round skills to the team​​
• Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh was the defensive star in Season 10 who helped the team reach their first final​

Coaches Who Built Haryana Steelers

Good coaching has been very important for Haryana Steelers’ journey from new team to champions.

Rakesh Kumar was the first head coach of Haryana Steelers. He coached the team from Season 5 to Season 9. Rakesh is a legendary kabaddi player who represented India and won many medals. He brought his vast experience to help the young team.​

Under Rakesh Kumar’s coaching, Haryana Steelers reached the playoffs in their debut season. He helped the team recover from the terrible Season 6 and brought them back to playoffs in Season 7. Rakesh understood kabaddi very well and focused on building a strong defensive system.​

Manpreet Singh became the head coach before Season 10. This change proved to be very important for Haryana Steelers. Manpreet is also a legendary kabaddi player and former Indian national team member. He captained Patna Pirates when they won multiple championships.​

Manpreet brought new ideas and strategies to Haryana Steelers. He focused on building the best defense in PKL and making the team very difficult to beat. Under his coaching, Haryana Steelers reached two consecutive finals and won their first championship in Season 11.​

Manpreet’s calm approach and smart tactics helped the team perform at their best during crucial moments. He continues to coach Haryana Steelers in Season 12.​

Haryana Steelers Owners and Management

Haryana Steelers is owned by JSW Sports, which is the sports division of the JSW Group. JSW Group is one of India’s largest business groups with interests in steel, energy, cement, and other sectors.​

JSW Sports was established to promote sports in India and help Indian athletes succeed at national and international levels. The company owns teams in different sports including kabaddi, football, and others. They also run the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), which provides world-class training facilities to athletes.​

Divyanshu Singh is the CEO of Haryana Steelers and JSW Sports. Under his leadership, the team has become one of the most professional franchises in PKL. The management focuses on finding good players, providing them with excellent facilities, and building long-term success.​

JSW Sports believes in giving back to the community. They conduct grassroots kabaddi programs to find young talent from villages and small towns. This helps in developing kabaddi in India and giving opportunities to players from all backgrounds.​

The owners have shown strong commitment to Haryana Steelers. They have invested in building a strong team and supporting the coaching staff. This professional approach has helped Haryana Steelers become champions.​

Home Ground and Fan Support

Haryana Steelers plays their home matches at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula, Haryana. This stadium is named after the famous Haryana politician Tau Devi Lal. The stadium becomes very loud and exciting when Haryana Steelers plays there.​

The people of Haryana love kabaddi and support Haryana Steelers very strongly. The state has produced many kabaddi champions over the years, so people understand the game very well. When Haryana Steelers plays at home, thousands of fans come to cheer for the team.​

The atmosphere at Tau Devi Lal Stadium during home matches is electric. Fans sing songs, wave flags, and create noise to support their team. This home support gives the players extra motivation to perform well.​

When Haryana Steelers won the championship in Season 11, the celebrations in Haryana were massive. Thousands of people gathered to welcome the team and celebrate with them. The bond between Haryana Steelers and their fans is very special because they share the love for kabaddi.​

Social Media Presence

Haryana Steelers has a strong presence on social media platforms. The team uses social media to connect with fans and share updates about matches and players.

On Instagram, Haryana Steelers has around 556,000 followers. This makes them the third most followed PKL team on Instagram. After winning the championship in Season 11, their Instagram following increased significantly. The team posts match highlights, player interviews, training videos, and behind-the-scenes content regularly.​

The engagement rate on Instagram is good, with posts getting thousands of likes and hundreds of comments. Fans interact with the team’s content and show their support through social media.​

On YouTube, Haryana Steelers has their official channel where they post match highlights and other kabaddi content. The channel helps fans who cannot watch matches live to stay updated with the team’s performance.

On Facebook, the team maintains an active presence with regular updates and photos. Facebook helps reach fans from different age groups who use this platform.

On Twitter (X), Haryana Steelers shares quick updates and live match commentary. The platform is used for engaging with fans during matches.

The total social media following of Haryana Steelers has grown significantly after their championship win. The team ranks among the top three most followed PKL franchises on Instagram, which shows their increasing popularity.​

Haryana Steelers’ social media team creates engaging content that keeps fans connected with the team throughout the year, not just during the season. They share player stories, training updates, and motivational content that fans enjoy.​

Overall Achievements and Records

Haryana Steelers holds some impressive records in Pro Kabaddi League:

• First PKL Title: Won in Season 11 (2024) by defeating Patna Pirates 32-23​
• Runners-up Finish: 1 time in Season 10 (2023-24)​
• Back-to-Back Finals: Reached finals in Season 10 and Season 11​
• Best League Stage Performance: Season 11 with 19 wins and only 3 losses​
• Three Finals in Four Seasons: Reached finals in Season 10, 11, and 12​
• Best Defense in PKL: The defensive trio of Jaideep Dahiya, Mohit Nandal, and Rahul Sethpal scored 209 tackle points in Season 10​
• Playoff Appearances: 5 times in 8 seasons​
• Highest Win Percentage: 55.7% overall, showing consistent performance

Haryana Steelers has become much more than just a kabaddi team. They represent the pride of Haryana and its rich kabaddi tradition. The team shows that with good planning, hard work, and smart management, success will come.

From entering PKL in 2017 to becoming champions in 2024, Haryana Steelers has written an inspiring story. They have given joy to millions of fans, provided a platform for talented players, and helped grow kabaddi in India.

The three final appearances in four seasons show that Haryana Steelers is now one of the best teams in PKL. With strong ownership from JSW Sports, excellent coaching from Manpreet Singh, great leadership from Jaideep Dahiya, and passionate fans, the team is ready to win more championships in the future.​

Haryana Steelers’ journey teaches us that patience and consistency are important for success. The team that struggled in Season 6 became champions five seasons later. This is the true spirit of sports and the true spirit of Haryana Steelers.

The franchise continues to grow stronger with each season. Their focus on defense, team play, and discipline has become their trademark. As they compete in future seasons, Haryana Steelers will continue to represent Haryana’s kabaddi culture with pride and determination.