PKL 12: Patna Pirates Squad Analysis for Pro Kabaddi League Season 12

The Patna Pirates, one of the most successful teams in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), are gearing up for PKL Season 12 with a strong and balanced squad. Having won three PKL titles in Seasons 3, 4, and 5, the Pirates are determined to reclaim their glory after finishing as runners-up in Season 11. With a mix of experienced players, young talent, and international stars, the Patna Pirates squad for PKL 12 looks ready to compete for the championship.

The Patna Pirates squad saw several exciting additions like Maninder Singh, Sanket Sawant, and Sombir Gulia during the PKL 12 auction. Notably, they brought in two Iranian defenders and other young players to bolster their defense.

Hamid Mirzaeinader: An experienced Iranian defender who adds international expertise to the team.
Amin Ghorbani: Another Iranian talent known for his strong tackling skills in the right corner.
Ankit Kumar Rana: A young raider with potential to support the main raiding unit.
Mandeep Kumar: Adds depth to the raiding department.
Saurabh Narwal: A young defender to strengthen the backline.

These new players, combined with other stars like Maninder Singh and Deepak, make the Patna Pirates squad a strong contender for PKL 12.

Patna Pirates Squad for PKL 12

The Patna Pirates squad for PKL 12 consists of 19 players, including 8 raiders, 10 defenders, and one all-rounder. Here’s the full lineup:

Raiders: Ayan, Sudhakar M, Deepak Jaglan, Maninder Singh, Ankit Kumar Rana, Mandeep Kumar, Milan Dahiya, Sahil Patil
Defenders: Deepak (Right Cover), Thiyagarajan Yuvaraj, Navdeep, Hamid Mirzaeinader, Sanket Sawant (Left Cover), Sombir, Amin Ghorbani (Right Corner), Jadhav Shahaji (Right Cover), Prianshu, Saurabh Narwal
All-Rounder: Ankit

The squad was finalized during the PKL Season 12 player auctions held on May 31 and June 1, 2025, in Mumbai. The team retained key players like Ayan Lochab and used FBM cards to retain Deepak and Ankit Jaglan. Additionally, they have added new talent, including Iranian defenders Hamid Mirzaeinaderand Amin Ghorbani, to strengthen their lineup.

Strengths of the Patna Pirates Squad

The raiding unit is led by Maninder Singh, one of the most successful raiders in PKL history with over 1500 raid points across nine seasons. Known for his power and consistency, the ‘Mighty Mani’ is a key player who can turn matches around. Supporting him are Sudhakar M and Ayan, who showed promise in PKL 11 with their aggressive raiding. The addition of Ankit Kumar Rana and Mandeep Kumar provides depth, ensuring the Patna Pirates squad has multiple raiding options.

The Patna Pirates squad boasts a solid defensive unit, strengthened by the addition of Iranian defenders Hamid Mirzaeinader and Amin Ghorbani. Hamid’s experience and Amin’s tackling skills in the right corner add international quality. Deepak (right cover) and Ankit Jaglan (left crner) were standout performers in PKL 11, contributing significant tackle points. Defenders like Sombir, Navdeep, Sanket Sawant, and Jadhav Shahaji provide further depth, making the defense tough to breach.

With eight raiders, ten defenders, and one all-rounder (Ankit), the Patna Pirates squad is well-balanced. Head coach Anup Kumar, who led the team to three titles, emphasizes teamwork between raiders and defenders. This balance allows the Pirates to adapt to different match situations, whether they need to attack aggressively or defend tightly.

Weaknesses of the Patna Pirates Squad

The raiding unit heavily depends on Maninder Singh for points. While Sudhakar M and Ayan are promising, they lack the experience of top raiders like Naveen Kumar or Pawan Sehrawat. If Maninder faces injuries or a dip in form, the team may struggle to maintain their attacking strength.

Raiders like Deepak Jaglan, Milan Dahiya, and Sahil Patil are relatively new to the PKL stage. Their lack of experience could be a challenge in high-stakes matches, especially against seasoned opponents. Furthermore, the absence of a versatile all-rounder could limit the team’s flexibility in crucial moments. They have Ankit Jaglan as an all-rounder but his major contribution comes in the defence department.

Key Players to Watch in PKL 12

Several players in the Patna Pirates squad are expected to shine in PKL 12. Here are the top five players to watch:

Maninder Singh (Raider): With over 1500 raid points, Maninder is the heart of the raiding unit and a key leader.
Ankit Jaglan (All Rounder): The Indian defender will guard the left-corner, will strengthen the defensive line.
Ayan Lochab (Raider): His raiding skills make him a crucial player. Last year, he supported Devank Dalal, this year is supposed to support Maninder Singh.
Deepak (Defender): A reliable right cover defender who contributed significantly in PKL 11. Responsibility of the defence department will fall on his shoulder.
Sudhakar M (Raider): A young raider who can complement Maninder and Ayan with his aggressive style.

Head Coach Anup Kumar’s Strategy

Coach Anup Kumar, a veteran in the PKL, has a proven track record with championship wins. For PKL 12, he aims to build on the team’s runner-up finish in Season 11. Kumar’s strategy focuses on leveraging Maninder Singh’s raiding skills while ensuring the defense, led by Ankit and Deepak, remains solid. He also emphasizes developing young players like Ayan and Sudhakar to create a well-rounded Patna Pirates squad.

Since joining the Pro Kabaddi League in 2014, the Patna Pirates have been a dominant force. They won three consecutive titles from Seasons 3 to 5, led by players like Pardeep Narwal. In Season 11, they reached the final but lost to Haryana Steelers 32-23. With a revamped squad for PKL 12, the Pirates are eager to add a 4th title to their legacy.

The Patna Pirates squad for PKL 12 is a strong mixup of experienced stars like Maninder Singh and new talents like Ayan Lochab. Their balanced raiding and defensive units, guided by coach Anup Kumar, make them a top contender. Despite the challenges like their heavy reliance on Maninder and Ayan Lochab for raid points, limited all-rounders, the Patna Pirates squad is well-equipped to fight for the PKL 12 title in the Pro Kabaddi League 2025.