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The franchise based on Sonepat, Haryana, Haryana Steelers had a decent debut season in their inaugural outing in Pro Kabaddi Season 5. Owned by JSW Sports, Haryana Steelers were on third place in the Group A points table where they had managed to win 13 matches out of 22 to ensure their qualification for the playoffs.
Haryana Steelers was a team led by India's finest left corner defender, Surender Nada who wore the orange armband as the best defender of Season 5 (80 defense points in 21 matches) with nine High 5s in his tally. Wazir Singh got scored 120 raid points in 21 matches who was their best raider last season.
They had good raiders in their arsenal as well but their individual performances one at a time where the others kept struggling was the reason they didn't have an aggressive raiding display.
An injury prone run to Vikas Kandola's outing who was their find of the tournament and the lack of experience in their cover defense could only manage them to play the Eliminator where they were beaten by Patna Pirates.
In Season 6 auctions, Haryana Steelers only managed to sign 16 players in their squad. Ahead of the auctions, they didn't retain any player except Kuldeep Singh, who left many fans in dilemma.
However, they caught many eyeballs when they came out of nowhere at ₹139 lakhs in the bidding war between U Mumba and Delhi and finally acquired Monu Goyat at a splendid amount of ₹1.51 crores, the highest bid for any player in Pro Kabaddi history.
As Rambir Singh Khokkar will continue to coach the team in Season 6, here is the predicted starting line up which the team management might consider in the starting days of the tournament.
Right Corner: Vikas
Vikas was introduced for the first time as a replacement for Mohit Chillar in the Haryana leg when Mohit was out of touch.
Safe to say, Vikas established an immense admiration for himself when he dominated over the left raiders with his lethal ankle holds which he executes when the raiders try to swiftly steal a bonus under him or execute a toe touch.
He didn't have many chances though in Season 5 as he was brought in as a substitution for the majority of 19 matches he played.
Even if he scored only 26 tackle points, he established an influential understanding with Surender Nada and filled in the shoes of Mohit Chhillar perfectly.
This time around, the team management has highly relied upon Vikas retaining him over the all-time great, Chillar and this newly formed duo of Nada and Vikas will be interesting to watch for many Kabaddi fans.
Right In: Vikas Kandola
This 20-year-old lanky raider was a find for the Haryana Steelers in Pro Kabaddi Season 5. His height of 5 feet and 7 inches allows him to steal bonuses from the corner's reach and has a good extension to the midline which allows him to take running hand touches.
He'll be the team's do or die raider and will mostly look to disrupt the balance of opposition's defenders. He had an injury prone run in Season 5 acquiring only 58 raid points in 9 matches and couldn't contribute much to Haryana's raiding attack.
However a fresh new start to the season 6, we'll get to witness more of Kandola and many fans can expect a good sensible art of raiding in the days to come.
Right Cover: Neeraj Kumar
If you observe Neeraj's gameplay closely, you'll see how Neeraj doesn't execute a tackle by himself most often. But he can assist the effort made by the corner defenders. In Season 5, Neeraj assisted Surender Nada and Chillar pretty well him taking down the raiders after an attempt of an ankle hold or a dive that allowed the defenders to get successful tackle attempts.
His personal records don't depict his defensive gameplay, he is a pretty good assist. He has only scored 13 tackle points in 17 matches. However, the team management showed immense faith in Neeraj Kumar and was an NYP retention for them.
This season Neeraj will possibly look to establish himself as a complete defender and will try to score some crucial tackle points of his own.
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Center: Monu Goyat
Kabaddi's highest paid player till date, Monu Goyat shattered all headlines when he was signed by Haryana Steelers at ₹1.51 crores. He got more amount than what Jason Roy, Imran Tahir, and Lungi Ngidi got from their IPL bids. He has evolved himself from a supporting raider to the main leading raider by himself.
You don't see Monu Goyat bringing extra-ordinary raids when he steps on the mat. All he does is bringing improvisation techniques in his raiding which enables even his hand touches to be more precise and toe touches more beautiful.
He was on a dream run with Patna Pirates getting 191 raid points in 26 matches. On an overall basis, Monu has 250 raid points in 39 matches of the Pro Kabaddi League. Also his fantastic outing in the Senior Nationals, Federation Cup as well as the Kabaddi Masters, perhaps he is one of the best raiders of the world today and will look to contribute immensely with Haryana's offensive attack.
Left Cover: Sachin Shingade
When Sachin Shingade had debuted with Dabang Delhi K.C. in Season 4, he established himself as a pillar of their defense and impressed everybody in his very first outing. Hailing from Maharashtra, he thrashed everybody out of the court who were speedy and sequential. Right raiders found it difficult to read him back then where he executed various moves on them.
He has every move in his arsenal whether it be a double knee hold, an exciting frontal block or even a dash. Sachin has 94 tackle points in 56 matches to his name, a consistent defender who has represented successful teams like Patna Pirates and Maharashtra in the Nationals.
He was a bargain buy for Haryana Steelers at just 20 lakhs and his partnership with the corners will be a must watch.
Left In: Wazir Singh
Wazir Singh; an experienced campaigner who made his comeback donning the blue-white colors of Haryana Steelers after an injury that kept him out in the middle. He knows how to escape from the mightiest of defense taking the defenders along with him.
Wazir is a master of the running kicks and uses hands quite rarely. He shuffles across the opposition's court in a sequence and also experts in kicking the knees of the corner defense.
Wazir Singh has an impressive 276 raid points in 45 matches. He can also show his defense and also helps in providing crucial tackle points. The all-time experience of Wazir and his class will blow fireworks for the Haryana Steelers.
Left Corner: Surender Nada
Nada is the most fatal left corner in the world today with his trademark move 'the ankle hold'.
He needs no introduction to the Kabaddi lovers, he is an inspiration to many young defenders who aspire of becoming him one day which he has attained through his absolute class on the mat.
Nada has 218 tackle points in 70 matches with an average of 3.11 tackle points per match. With over 19 High 5s, Surender Nada has the joint highest High 5s with Manjeet Chhillar.
Nobody can execute ankle holds better than Nada. He can execute this move with tightened grasp over the ankles of the raider to ensure he doesn't reach the midline. Nada can also execute waist holds and has a good ability to hold the raiders.
In Season 5, he established himself from a young challenger to a leader in his own, notching 80 tackle points in 21 matches. This season, more alluring sights of Nada with his ankle holds can be assured.
