Consistency and Team Play will be crucial for Haryana Steelers this season
– Ambrish Upadhyay
Haryana Steelers only retained Vikash Kandola under the Elite player retained category before PKL 8 player auction, while Vinay, Vikas Chhillar & Chand Singh were retained under the existing NYP retained category.
Haryana Steelers finished their PKL 7 campaign at 5th position on points table, they lacked as a unit to make it to the playoffs.
Haryana Steelers made some exciting bids in the auction, they also made their personal highest bid of the PKL history by signing the emerging all-rounder Rohit Gulia for 83 lakh rupees.
Steelers have shown faith on another all-rounder by signing Brijendra Chaudhari for 55 lakh rupees. Brijendra represents Rajasthan in senior nationals & has won silver with the team in 67th senior nationals bronze in 68th senior nationals.
Haryana Steelers have also signed the veteran all-rounder Rajesh Narwal (10 lakh) to provide the experience to the squad. Rajesh has scored around 400 points in PKL so far.
Talking about the raiding department, Vikash Kandola will be leading the charge from the front, Vikash has been consistent with his performance in last two seasons. Vikash has scored more than 400 raid points in 55 PKL appearances.
Vinay who made an impressive debut for Haryana in PKL 7 will have to repeat his performance in order to support Vikash & Rohit in raiding department.
Iranian veteran raider Md. Esmaeil (13.2 lakh) will also be donning the Haryana Steelers jersey in season 8, the experience of international matches which he carries will be a key factor to the side.
Talking about the defence, Haryana Steelers have bought back the greatest Left Corner “Surender Nada” (20 lakh) who will be making his appearance on the PKL mat after season 6. He missed PKL 7 due to shoulder injury. Nada will be the most experienced defender of the side in PKL 8.
Ravi Kumar (27.5 lakh) will have to support Nada & Vikas Jaglan (20 lakh) in defence to stop the leakage of unnecessary points.