The Patna Pirates have officially named Dinesh Kharab as their new assistant coach ahead of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 13. As the most successful franchise in the league’s history, the Pirates are revamping their backroom staff to regain their championship form following an intense Season 12 campaign.
Kharab, a veteran figure in the Indian kabaddi circuit, brings deep tactical expertise to the team. His role will primarily focus on refining the defensive unit and integrating younger players—a long-standing tradition for the Patna-based franchise.
Coaching Transition for Season 13
The appointment of Kharab is part of a broader management reset. For the upcoming season, the Pirates have also roped in Jasveer Singh as their new head coach, replacing the legendary Anup Kumar. This new leadership duo aims to bring stability to a side that has shown flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency in high-pressure moments recently.
Recap: Patna Pirates’ Rollercoaster Season 12
The Pirates finished the Season 12 league stage in seventh place, but they truly came alive during the “Grand Playoffs Festival” in October 2025.
- Play-in Success: Defeated U Mumba 40-31, powered by Ayan Lohchab’s 14 points and Navdeep’s 7 tackle points.
- Eliminator 1: Crushed the Jaipur Pink Panthers 48-32 in a ruthless display.
- Eliminator 2: Ended the Bengaluru Bulls’ title hopes with a 46-37 victory.
- Eliminator 3: Their dream run was finally halted by the Telugu Titans in a 46-39 thriller. Despite Ayan’s 22-point effort, the Pirates fell just seven points short of the Qualifier.
Season 13 Outlook and Strategy
With the addition of Dinesh Kharab, the Pirates are signaling a focus on defensive discipline and match-day strategy.
- Youth Development: Kharab will work closely with breakout stars like Ayan and Devank, who dominated the scoring charts last season.
- Defensive Solidity: After working on the team’s shortcomings in pre-camps, the new staff is expected to build around corner defenders like Navdeep and Ankit.
- Training Camp: The team is expected to begin its primary training sessions in early 2026 to acclimate the squad to the new tactical vision.
