Team Talk: Haryana will aim to build on their successful debut campaign

Under the leadership of VIVO Pro Kabaddi veterans Surender Nada and Wazir Singh, newcomers Haryana Steelers made a big impact in their maiden campaign in the league. While their season ended in the second Eliminator with a defeat at the hands of the Patna Pirates, their excellent work up until that point is worthy of praise.

With the addition of Monu Goyat to the team, Haryana look poised to build off their brilliant rookie year and challenge for the title in their second season.  

Team Highlights

Deep raiding department

The addition of Monu Goyat gives the Steelers depth and quality in a raiding department that already boasted of the mercurial Wazir Singh and Vikash Khandola.

Goyat, who was with the Patna Pirates in Season 5, was one of the finds of the campaign. He scored an incredible 202 points with nine Super 10s in 26 games. Playing deputy to Pardeep Narwal, Goyat still managed to finish fourth in the Best Raiders’ list. 

This trio of raiders is as good as any in VIVO Pro Kabaddi and makes Haryana’s offence one of the most fearsome in the league. The three combined to score 356 Raid Points in Season 5 for their respective teams and if they repeat that feat for Haryana, expect a long run from them this season.

Good defense

The Steelers added veteran Sachin Shingade in their roster to bring experience to their defensive unit, spearheaded by Season 5’s Best Defender Surender Nada.

Nada managed a league-record 80 Tackle Points in Season 5 and his leadership along with his ability to rally youngsters like Vikas and Neeraj Kumar behind him, were key reasons why the Steelers went deep into the Super Playoffs. With a mix of youth and experience, Haryana boast of a good defense to complement their outstanding offence, providing perfect balance to the squad.

Stating Stat

Wins - 13

Draws - 4

Losses - 6

Total Points scored – 727 (55.57% from Raid Points and 31.22% from Tackle Points)

Total Points conceded - 726

All-Outs inflicted – 27

Most Successful Raider – Wazir Singh with 107 Raid Points (Season 5 – Current)

Most Successful Defender – Surender Nada with 80 Tackle Points (Season 5 – Current)

Form Guide

1. With a record of 13 wins, 5 losses and 4 ties in 22 games, Haryana Steelers made it to the Super Playoffs in their debut campaign in Season 5 of VIVO Pro Kabaddi.
2. Their tally of 13 wins was the second-most by a team in Season 5 of VIVO Pro Kabaddi.
3. Haryana’s five defeats in Season 5 was also the second-lowest defeat tally in the league.
4. Left Corner Surender Nada led the league in Tackle Points with 80 to his name and had the joint second-most number of Super Tackles with six.
5. Haryana’s 105 Raid Points in ‘Do-Or-Die’ situations was the second-highest tally in Season 5 behind Puneri Paltan’s 119.