Whom will Patna Pirates RETAIN or RELEASE ahead of PKL Season 13? Let’s take a look at the most likely retention decisions for the franchise.
Retention Rules for PKL Season 13
The PKL Season 13 Retention Process is expected to remain the same as in previous seasons. We have already explained the complete retention process and rules in a previous blog.
You can read and understand the PKL Season 13 Retention Rules – Click here to read.
Patna Pirates Possible Retained Players
# Elite Retained Players
(1) Deepak Rathee

Deepak Rathee is expected to be the first confirmed retention for Patna Pirates ahead of PKL Season 13. In the previous auction, Patna Pirates used their two-year FBM card on him for ₹86 lakhs. A promising Right Cover defender, he scored 33 Tackle points in 21 matches during PKL Season 12.
Since Patna Pirates exercised a two-year FBM card on him at the auction, he is automatically Retained for the second year of that contract. With such a significant investment already made, the franchise does not have a choice regarding his retention for PKL Season 13.
(2) Maninder Singh

Patna Pirates bought Maninder Singh for just ₹20 lakhs in the previous PKL Auction. He played 7 matches in PKL Season 12 and scored 40 Raid points. His performances have gradually declined over the past few seasons, but recent updates shared by Maninder on social media show that he looks fit and has been training hard. It will be interesting to see whether newly appointed Head Coach Jasveer Singh decides to back him for another season.
(3) Mandeep Kumar

Mandeep Kumar, the nephew of Anup Kumar, was bought by Patna Pirates at his base price of ₹9 lakhs in the previous auction. He had a promising debut season, scoring 15 raid points in 5 matches. He has the potential to become one of Patna Pirates’ future stars. With a low retention cost, he is likely to be retained for the upcoming season.
(4) Sombir Gulia

Right Corner defender Sombir Gulia was signed by Patna Pirates for just ₹13 lakhs. The franchise expected strong performances from him, but he managed only 2 Tackle points in 7 matches during PKL Season 12. However, if we look at his performances in PKL Seasons 10 and 11, his numbers were quite impressive. Coach Jasveer Singh may choose to back him for another season because of his experience and past record.
(5) Vaibhav Garje

Vaibhav Garje joined Patna Pirates as a replacement player during PKL Season 12. He is an experienced Right Cover defender and scored 6 Tackle points in 8 matches. Since Deepak Rathee is expected to be retained, Vaibhav could serve as a solid backup option in the squad.
# Retained Young Players
(1) Sudhakar M.

Sudhakar M. is a well-known kabaddi player from Tamil Nadu. When Patna Pirates signed him as an NYP, expectations were quite high. However, his best performances are still yet to come. The good thing for Patna is that they retained him under an RYP contract during PKL Season 12. As a result, he is expected to remain with the franchise next season as well, provided everything goes according to plan.
(2) Navdeep

Navdeep is a highly talented Right Corner defender who was signed by Patna Pirates as an NYP. His performance last season was outstanding, as he scored 73 Tackle points in 21 matches. With his NYP contract now ending, Patna Pirates will need to offer him a three-year RYP contract if they wish to retain him. It will be interesting to see whether Navdeep agrees to that offer.
# Existing New Young Players
Players in this category are those who enter the second year of their two-season NYP contract. Since they were signed as NYPs last season, they will automatically remain with the franchise next season under the Existing New Young Player category.
(1) Ankit Rana (Left Raider)
Scored 77 Raid points in 20 matches.
(2) Milan Dahiya (Right Raider)
Scored 34 Raid points in 16 matches.
(3) Saurabh Narwal (Left Cover)
Did not play any match.
(4) Prianshu Lathwal (Left Corner)
Did not play any match.
Patna Pirates Possible Releases
1. Ayan Lohchab (Left Raider)
2. Sahil Patil (Right Raider)
3. Deepak Jaglan (Right Raider)
4. Sanket Sawant (Left Cover)
5. Balaji D. (Right Cover)
6. Ankit Jaglan (Left Corner)
7. Thiyagarajan Yuvaraj (Left Corner)
8. Amin Ghorbani (Right Corner)
9. Hamid Nader (Right Corner)
10. Ashish Birwal
So, these are the most likely retention decisions for Patna Pirates ahead of PKL Season 13. A clearer picture will emerge once the recategorised players list is released and the franchise finalizes its retention strategy.
You can also share your thoughts in our detailed YouTube video discussing Patna Pirates’ possible retentions.
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