Haryana Steelers Lead PKL Season 11 as Playoff Race Heats Up

Haryana Steelers Lead PKL Season 11 as Playoff Race Heats Up

When Pro Kabaddi League Season 11GMC Balayogi Sports Complex, Hyderabad rolled out its opening clash, the league has already seen a roller‑coaster of results, and as of December 1 2024, the Haryana Steelers sit atop the table with 84 points.

Season Overview and Current Standings

The twelve‑team saga has reached the 22‑match mark for every side, meaning each franchise has a short sprint left before the playoffs. The table, verified by the official Telugu Titans website, News18 and ESPN, shows a clear split: the top six are locked in the orange band, while positions seven through ten hover in the green band, fighting for the last two knockout spots.

• Haryana Steelers: 16‑6‑0, +112, 84 pts
• Dabang Delhi K.C.: 13‑5‑4, +85, 81 pts
• UP Yoddhas: 13‑6‑3, +97, 79 pts
• Patna Pirates: 13‑7‑2, +93, 77 pts
• U Mumba: 12‑8‑2, +16, 71 pts
• Jaipur Pink Panthers: 12‑8‑2, +55, 70 pts

Below the orange band, the green‑band hopefuls are Telugu Titans (66 pts, -40 GD), Puneri Paltan (60 pts, +61 GD), Tamil Thalaivas (50 pts, +16 GD) and Bengal Warriorz (41 pts, -116 GD). The bottom four – Gujarat Giants, Bengaluru Bulls, and the two sides already eliminated – are now focusing on pride and individual milestones.

Key Matches and Performances Since Mid‑November

From November 25 to December 1, the league served up nail‑biting finishes. Highlights include:

• U Mumba edged Bengaluru Bulls 34‑32 on November 25, snapping a three‑match losing streak.
• Patna Pirates demolished Bengaluru Bulls 54‑29 on November 30 – the biggest margin of the week.
• Haryana Steelers beat Patna Pirates 38‑28 on November 27, a bout the YouTube channel Sports Universe (Danish) described as “very aggressive”.
• Jaipur Pink Panthers rescued a 41‑28 victory over Telugu Titans on November 30, keeping their orange‑band slot alive.

One storyline that cut through the noise was the rise of Tamil Thalaivas. After a 30‑42 drubbing by Haryana Steelers on November 29, they rallied to a 33‑29 win over Jaipur Pink Panthers on November 28, keeping a faint playoff flicker alive.

Playoff Qualification and Band Scenarios

Here’s the thing: the orange band guarantees a direct berth, while the green band forces a sudden‑death qualifier. With six matches left for each team, the math is simple but brutal. Haryana Steelers, Dabang Delhi, UP Yoddhas, Patna Pirates, U Mumba and Jaipur Pink Panthers have already sealed orange spots – no ifs, no buts.

Meanwhile, Telugu Titans need at least three wins from their final six games to leap into the green band. Puneri Paltan sits in a comfortable 60‑point cushion, but a slip could hand the edge to Tamil Thalaivas, who must swing a +30 point differential in their remaining outings – a tall order, but not impossible.

“Every raid now feels like a final,” said Fazel Atrachali, the Bengal Warriorz defender who recently became the first player to hit 500 tackle points. “We’re not just playing for points; we’re playing for legacy.”

Historic Milestones and Player Highlights

Fazel’s 500‑tackle mark, reported by ESPN on December 1, adds a new chapter to PKL lore. The Iranian stalwart’s consistency reminds fans why defense matters as much as raiding.

On the opposite side of the court, Pardeep Narwal still owns the raider crown with 1,655 points across 164 matches. Though his team, Patna Pirates, sits in the orange band, Narwal’s recent 15‑point haul against Gujarat Giants on November 28 proved he’s still the ‘raider king’.

Statistically, the season’s average winning margin stands at 9.4 points, marginally higher than the 8.7‑point average in Season 10, indicating tighter contests and improved defensive strategies league‑wide.

Looking Ahead: Remaining Fixtures and What to Watch

December’s calendar is packed. The next round pits the green‑band contenders against each other, meaning a single upset could reshuffle the entire knockout picture. Key matchups to keep an eye on:

1. Telugu Titans vs. Dabang Delhi K.C. – a clash of experience versus hunger.
2. Puneri Paltan vs. Tamil Thalaivas – could decide who grabs the final green‑band slot.
3. Bengal Warriorz vs. Haryana Steelers – a chance for the Warriors to prove they belong in the qualifier.

Fans should also watch for injury updates on star raiders like Naveen Kumar (U Mumba) and the evolving role of all‑rounders such as Sukesh Hegde (Patna Pirates). The league’s broadcasting partner, Star Sports, has promised a “high‑octane” finish, and judging by the current momentum, the hype isn’t exaggerated.

Key Facts

• Season started: 18 Oct 2024 at GMC Balayogi Sports Complex, Hyderabad.
• Matches played so far: 96.
• Top six (orange band): Haryana Steelers, Dabang Delhi K.C., UP Yoddhas, Patna Pirates, U Mumba, Jaipur Pink Panthers.
• Historic milestone: Fazel Atrachali – first 500‑tackle player.
• Remaining games per team: 6.