Why is Jaideep Dahiya not playing today's Haryana Steelers vs Jaipur Pink Panthers PKL 2024 match?
Haryana Steelers captain Jaideep Dahiya is notably absent from their lineup for tonight’s (Thursday, October 24) Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2024 clash against Jaipur Pink Panthers. The two-time champions, Jaipur, are locking horns with the Steelers in the 14th match of the season at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad.
However, the absence of Haryana’s regular skipper, Jaideep, has left fans and experts wondering why one of the league’s top cover defenders is not on the mat.
Though there has been no official statement regarding Jaideep Dahiya's absence, reports suggest that the Haryana captain is currently unwell. His illness has kept him from participating in PKL 11 so far, including the Steelers’ opening match against defending champions Puneri Paltan.
This absence was felt deeply, as Haryana missed out on a chance to avenge their PKL 10 final loss to Pune, falling short with a 35-25 defeat. In Jaideep’s place, Rahul Sethpal stepped up as the stand-in captain, but the team clearly struggled without their regular leader.
Jaideep Dahiya led the Haryana Steelers to an inspirational runner-up finish in PKL 10
Jaideep Dahiya has been a key figure for the Haryana Steelers since his debut in PKL 8, quickly establishing himself as a vital cog in the team’s defense. His leadership qualities earned him the captaincy in PKL 10, where he guided Haryana to a remarkable runner-up finish.
Under the combined leadership of Jaideep and coach Manpreet Singh, Haryana Steelers enjoyed an inspiring run, finishing fifth in the league stage with 13 wins from 22 games. Despite being considered underdogs, they defied expectations to secure a place in the PKL 10 finals. They first dispatched Gujarat Giants with a dominant 42-25 win in Eliminator 2, before upsetting top contenders Jaipur Pink Panthers with a hard-fought 31-27 victory in the semifinals.
In the final, the Haryana Steelers put up a valiant fight against Puneri Paltan but ultimately fell just short, losing 28-25. Despite the heartbreaking defeat, Jaideep’s performances throughout the season were nothing short of stellar, as he accumulated 68 tackle points in 23 games, playing his role as the left cover with precision.
Without him, Haryana’s defense struggled in their PKL 11 opener, where they fell to a heavy defeat against Pune. His absence is likely to be felt again tonight against Jaipur, especially with the Panthers being one of the stronger teams in the league.
Fans are hopeful that Jaideep Dahiya recovers soon and returns to the mat to lead his side. Haryana Steelers, who showed great promise last season, will need their captain back if they hope to replicate or surpass their success in PKL 11.