The Pro Kabaddi League 2024 concluded on Sunday, December 29, where Haryana Steelers clinched their maiden PKL title by defeating Patna Pirates in a thrilling final. Haryana Steelers beat Patna Pirates in a fast paced final by 32-23 and became the eighth team in PKL history to win the trophy.
After finishing as runners-up last season, this victory marked a historic moment for Haryana. It also became the fourth instance in PKL history where a team, after ending as runners-up, won the title the following season. Previously, U Mumba (Season 2), Dabang Delhi (Season 8), and Puneri Paltan (Season 10) achieved this feat.
Patna Pirates, on the other hand, failed to replicate their iconic Season 5 performance, where they became the only team to win the title starting from the eliminators. This loss marked their second defeat in a PKL final out of five appearances.
Haryana Steelrs outclass Patna Pirates in PKL 2024 final
After taking a slender lead of 15-12 in the first half, the Steelers dominated the second half of the final after the two teams were closely matched at 15-12 by the end of the first half. They kept piling on points and inflicted an all-out to secure an eight-point lead at 27-19, effectively sealing the game. The Pirates had no answers to the combination of attack and defense that the Steelers showcased on the night of the final.
Steelers’ stars Mohammadreza Shadloui and Shivam Patre earned their High 5s, playing crucial roles in the team’s victory. Meanwhile, Gurdeep Singh of the Patna Pirates also registered a High 5, but his efforts were in vain. Star raider Devank Dalal achieved his 300th raid point of the season but ended on the losing side.
Player-turned-coach Manpreet Singh finally got his hands on the PKL title that had eluded him in his coaching career. While he is a former PKL winner as a player, Manpreet had faced multiple heartbreaks as a coach, losing the PKL finals in Seasons 5, 6, and 10. This time, however, he lifted the trophy he had long desired.
