"We’ve made a lot of changes" - Shivam Patare on Haryana Steelers' resurgence; credits Shadlou for bringing stability [Exclusive]
Haryana Steelers' raider Shivam Patare has shed light on the key factors behind his team’s exceptional run in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2024. As of December 9, the Steelers sit comfortably atop the points table with 72 points, having won 14 out of their 18 matches.
The season started on a disappointing note for the Steelers, who lost their opener 35-25 to defending champions Puneri Paltan. The defeat was particularly bitter as it denied them the chance to avenge their PKL 10 final loss. However, the team rebounded impressively, securing a commanding 38-28 win against Pune in the reverse fixture later in the season.
Their most recent fixture was a comprehensive 46-25 win against Telugu Titans that came off yet another all-round performance.
In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, Shivam Patare reflected on the Steelers' transformation, highlighting their remarkable turnaround:
"It's been a great season for us. Initially, we were losing some matches, but later the team made a strong comeback. Both our defense and raiding departments have performed really well."
One of the challenges Haryana faced early on was the absence of their skipper and left-cover defender, Jaideep Dahiya, who missed the first two games due to injury. This led to an unsettled cover defense in the initial matches.
"In the beginning, it took some time for our cover defenders to settle because players need time to understand each other's strategies. But as the league progressed, our cover defense improved significantly," Patare explained.
The addition of Iranian all-rounder Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh has been a game-changer for Haryana. Known as the “Show-stopper”, Shadlou has brought balance and stability to the team, building on his title-winning exploits with Puneri Paltan last season. He is currently leading the charts of most tackle points with 60 points under his belt.
"Shadlou has also made a big difference to the team. He's providing strong support in defense and contributing in raiding as well. His presence has helped the team stay stable," said Patare.
Haryana’s raiding duo, Shivam Patare and Vinay, had a slow start to the season but have since found their rhythm. As of December 9, both feature among the top 10 raiders of PKL 11. Vinay has amassed 128 raid points in 18 games, while Patare has 116 in the same number of matches.
"We’ve made a lot of changes. At the start of the league, it was tough for us to raid effectively. But as the league progressed, we started strategizing better and attacking with a proper plan during raids," Patare shared.
The raider also credited head coach Manpreet Singh for the team’s success. Singh, known for his energetic and motivational style, has been instrumental in devising strategies for the team.
"Our coach, Manpreet Singh, guides us and creates strategies for us to follow, and we play accordingly," he said.
“He’ll continue to perform even better” - Shivam Patare hails Vishal Tate’s contributions for Haryana Steelers in PKL 2024
Apart from the star performers, Shivam Patare praised Vishal Tate for his crucial contributions. Tate, often brought on as a substitute, has delivered key performances under pressure. He boasts a raid strike rate of 67.4% and has even secured a Super 10 in the tournament.
"Vishal Tate has also contributed a lot. In recent matches, his performance has been excellent, and he's played a crucial role in our victories. As he gets more opportunities, he’ll continue to perform even better," Patare noted.
With the playoffs approaching, Patare expressed confidence in the team’s readiness to face any challenge.
"Any team can reach the final, and whoever it is, we are ready to face them without any issues," he concluded.