Defending champions, Patna Pirates will definitely want to stamp their authority yet again in the fourth edition of the Pro Kabaddi League that is set to start from June 2016. Owned by Sanjiv Kumar Baliyan, the Patna-based PKL franchise had finished 3rd and 4th in the first two editions of the Pro Kabaddi League. However, last year they had raised a number of eyebrows when they were crowned as the champions of the domestic Indian Kabaddi tournament after defeating the Mumbai-based U Mumba franchise in the final match of the coveted competition.
The Pataliputra Sports Complex-based franchise finished a spot below U Mumba in the 2016 Pro Kabaddi League table. The Pirates had registered 10 victories in the 14 matches that they had played securing 58 points, a couple less than the table leaders.
However, backed by the likes of their star raider duo, Pardeep Narwal, and Rohit Kumar, the Pirates went on to defeat Puneri Paltans (40-21) and U Mumba (31-28) in the business end of the competition to clinch their first ever Pro Kabaddi League title.
After a highly successful 2016 campaign, the Patna-based PKL franchise has retained Pardeep Narwal and Rajesh Mondal going into the Pro Kabaddi League auction, earlier today.
Key Transfers
1. Bajirao Hodage: The defending champions, Patna Pirates have secured the services of the former Bengal Warriors defender, Bajirao Hodage for the upcoming season of the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League.
2. Dharmaraj Cheralathan: The former Telegu Titans defender, Dharmaraj Cheralathan has joined the Patna Pirates roster for the fourth edition of the Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League that is set to kick off in the month of June, later this year.
Here is the full list of players that have been bought by the Patna Pirates at the end of 2016 Pro Kabaddi League auction:
| Players | Position |
| Dharmaraj Cheralathan | Defender |
| Bajirao Hodage | Defender |
| Deepak Dhull | Defender |
| Vijin Thangadurai | Defender |
| Fazel Atrachali | Defender |
| Abolfazel Maghsodlo | Defender |
| Sanjay Kumar | All Rounder |
| Hadi Oshtorak | All Rounder |
| Kuldeep Singh | All Rounder |
| Mahesh Goud | Raider |
Now, let’s take a look at Patna Pirates’ Twitter handle at the end of today’s auction:
