Haryana Steelers Team Preview:- Haryana Steelers were one of the four new teams to join the Pro Kabaddi League in Season 5. Steelers impressed the Kabaddi fans with their fantastic performance on the mat in their very first season by making it to the playoffs stage.
After an impressive debut season, Steelers looked to consolidate their position as a strong contender in the league in Season 6. However, their plan backfired as they were struck with injuries, and they ‘couldn’t replicate their previous performance.
What Steelers did in Season 6?
Haryana Steelers had an abysmal season as they finished last in Zone A. Their star defender Surender Nada failed to take to the mat due to an injury in the very first match of the season. Furthermore, Monu Goyat couldn’t live up to his billing of being the most expensive player in the league and it all went downhill for the Steelers in Season 6.
How did the auctions go for Haryana Steelers?
Prior to the Season 7 auction of the Pro Kabaddi League, the team management of the Haryana Steelers decided to retain young talent Vikash Khandola and experienced all-rounder Kuldeep Singh. Steelers released all other players in the squad with a vision to build a fresh team for Season 7.
In the auctions, Haryana Steelers bought back their star raider Prashanth Kumar Rai for a whopping ₹77 lakhs. With Rai all set to don the role of the lead raider for the Steelers in Season 7, he will also have the support of Vikash Khandala and the lanky Selvamani K.
Shifting their focus to the defense, the Steelers recruited the veteran Dharmaraj Cheralathan and sturdy Vikas Kale at the auctions. In Vikas Kale and Dharamraj Cheralathan Steelers now have two big names with the experience that have made a positive impact in the past. Steelers also procured the services of a new young player Subash in the defense department.
The Sonipat-based franchise also added a foreign flavor in the all-rounders’ section as they choose to sign the likes of Tim Phonchoo and Amir Maleki who will join Kuldeep as the team’s all-rounders.
Strengths:
Steelers have a stable raiding set-up for Season 7. With the presence of Vikash Kandola and Prashant Kumar Rai in the ranks and throwing Selvamani K in the mix, the raiding unit of Steelers wears a solid look. Khandala and Rai will be eager to form a good partnership on the mat, and with Naveen set to play the same role as last season, the raiding department of Steelers look to be in safe hands.
Weaknesses:
Dharamaraj Cheralathan and Kuldeep Singh will guard the corners for Haryana Steelers, but the lack of sturdy defenders in the middle remains a considerable concern for the team management. Steelers lack a reliable name on the mat in defensive -set-up as Vikas Kale had an off-season with the Pirates last season and Parveen looked a little too unsure with his tackles. Ravi Kumar’s addition will provide an option to the Steelers, but in the end, the cover defenders in the team will need to up their game in the league.
How are the Steelers looking?
Average.
Retained raider Vikash Khandola was easily their most successful player in the league last season. He will get able support from Prashanth Kumar Rai who is a reliable raider, and he had a strong season with UP Yoddha previous season. However, their defense looks weak, with only Kuldeep Singh and Dharamraj Cheralathan as proven names. Spending heavily on the likes of raider K Selvamani and defender Vikas Kale who have been underperforming over the last couple of seasons might turn out to be a bad investment for the Steelers in Season 7.
What can be expected from Steelers in Season 7?
Haryana Steelers have one of the weakest squads in the league this season. Furthermore, the new league format will make it difficult for the Steelers to qualify for the playoffs. If Somehow Steelers manage to sneak into the playoffs, it will come as a complete surprise for many.
Players to watch out For:
Dharmaraj Cheralathan – With 256 tackle points from 99 matches against his names the veteran defender has been one of the best defenders and most experienced in the league. Cheralathan has an ability to float around in the defensive unit, and he will hold the key for the Steelers on the defensive front.
Prashant Kumar Rai – The lanky raider has been a consistent secondary raider for the teams he has represented in the league. However, in Season 7, he will be given the onus of leading the Steelers’ raiding unit, and he will be looking to form a strong alliance with Vikash Khandala on the mat to lead the Steelers to playoffs stage.
Haryana Steelers full squad for Pro Kabaddi 2019:
Raiders: Prashant Kumar Rai, Vikash Kandola, Selvamani K, Arun Kumar HN, Naveen, Amirhossein Maleki, Vikas Chhillar, and Vinay.
All-rounders: Tin Poncho and Kuldeep Singh.
Defenders: Dharmaraj Cheralathan, Ravi Kumar, Vikas Kale, Sunil, Parveen, Subhash Narwal, Vikram Kandola, and Chand Singh.
Probable Starting 7 for Haryana Steelers in Season 7:
Dharmaraj Cheralathan (Right Corner), Prashant Kumar Rai (Right In), Vikas Kale (Right Cover), Vikash Khandola (Center), Parveen (Left Cover), Naveen (Left In), and Kuldeep Singh (Left Corner)
