New Delhi: Patna Pirates, two-times defending champions of Vivo Pro Kabbadi officially announced Pardeep Narwal as their captain for season 5. ‘Dupki King’ Pardeep Narwal, who played a vital role in Patna Pirates campaign in the fourth edition, will lead the charge for the franchise. In 38 matches, Pardeep has made 190 successful raids, earning 263 points. The team is banking on his experience and exposure for repeating the success of 3rd and 4th season on mats. The team raids into its maiden game on July 29 against Telegu Titans in Hyderabad.
Another Kabbadi star Vishal Mane with 57 matches under his belt is the new vice captain of the team in Season 5. India renowned and veteran coach Shri Ram Mehar Singh will be responsible for coaching the team in their journey to victory in season 5.
The squad strength of Patna Pirates consists of 16 Indian players and 2 foreign players. The name includes Pardeep Narwal (C), Vishal Mane (VC), Vijay, Parveen Birwal, Arvind Kumar, Mohammad Maghsoudlou, Sachin Shingade, Monu Goyat, Md. Zakir Hossain, Jaideep, Manish, Jawahar, Satish, Sandeep, Virender Singh, Vikash Jaglan, Vishnu Uthaman and Vinod Kumar. The team is coached by veteran Kabbadi coach Shri Ram Mehar Singh.
Patna Pirates is the only team in this high thumping tournament that has performed consistently in all their league appearances. The team has reached in play off matches in all previous 4 seasons and was crowned as champions in Season 3 and Season 4 of Pro Kabbadi League. The team management has chalked out a blueprint for selecting a balanced and strong seven to put up a consistent performance in the new format of season 5 against 11 formidable teams for 13 weeks. Patna Pirates from Zone B will play its matches against Bengal Warriors, Bengaluru Bulls, Tamil Thalaivas, Telugu Titans and UP Yodha.
V Shah, Owner of Patna Pirates said “We have picked up a young and talented captain in Pardeep who will lead an equally talented side in season 5 of Vivo Pro Kabbadi. We are excited about our team formation that promises to play world class kabaddi.” Speaking about the plans for the season, Pardeep Narwal. Captain, Patna Pirates said, "I am thankful at the responsibility given to me by the management to lead a pack of talented players, will continue from where we left the last season and look forward to take the team to new heights. With the way the team is shaping up will surely help us retain the title yet again.”
Speaking about team formations and captain, Pawan S Rana, CEO, Patna Pirates said “Pardeep has been the most successful raider for us in previous 2 seasons and has time and again proved his mettle, with him being captain we will not only get a good leader but someone others can look up-to. With a good mix of youth and experience we have been successful to put together a balanced team led by Pardeep and being coached by Ram Mehar Singh, one of the veterans of the game, this surely will prove to be a catalyst in our endeavour of retaining the title”.
The fifth edition of the Pro Kabaddi League starts from July 28 and the final to be played on October 28. Four new teams have been introduced for this season thus making it a league of 12 teams.
