Patna Pirates PKL Season 12 Report Card: Ayan Lohchab Leads the Charge Despite Playoff Exit

The Patna Pirates entered Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 with renewed ambitions under legendary coach Anup Kumar. The season introduced a revamped format featuring a 108-match league stage, a simplified two-point win system, and a challenging Play-in route to the playoffs. With increased competition and little room for error, every match carried massive importance.

Despite an inconsistent campaign, the Pirates displayed resilience throughout the season. They secured a seventh-place finish in the league standings before fighting their way through the expanded playoff structure. Their journey eventually ended in Eliminator 3, but the campaign also witnessed the rise of a new superstar who could define the franchise's future.

Season Overview

Patna Pirates played 22 matches during the season and finished with an identical number of wins and losses, reflecting how competitive their campaign truly was. Every victory had to be earned through hard-fought performances, while narrow defeats ultimately prevented them from finishing higher on the points table. Although the Pirates couldn't progress beyond Eliminator 3, reaching the knockout stages from seventh place demonstrated the team's fighting mentality under Anup Kumar's leadership.

Ayan Lohchab Emerges as Patna's New Superstar

The biggest positive for Patna Pirates was undoubtedly the phenomenal rise of Ayan Lohchab. Following the departure of Devank Dalal, the responsibility of leading the raiding department shifted almost entirely onto Ayan's shoulders. Rather than feeling the pressure, he embraced it with remarkable maturity. Ayan finished the season with an incredible 316 raid points in 22 matches, averaging more than 14 raid points per game. His consistency, ability to produce Super Raids, and calmness in crunch situations made him one of the most dangerous raiders in the entire league. Whether Patna required a comeback or needed someone to keep the scoreboard moving, Ayan repeatedly delivered match-winning performances. His Season 12 campaign firmly established him among the elite raiders in Indian kabaddi.

Strong Support from the Raiding Unit

While Ayan stole the headlines, he wasn't fighting alone. Ankit Rana played the perfect supporting role throughout the campaign, contributing valuable raid points whenever the team required secondary scoring options. Veteran Maninder Singh, brought into the squad during the Season 12 auction, also made a meaningful impact despite limited appearances. His experience proved invaluable during pressure situations, giving Patna an additional attacking option whenever required. Together, the trio ensured the Pirates maintained a competitive raiding unit throughout the season.

Navdeep Anchors the Defensive Department

Patna Pirates have always built their identity around disciplined defending, and Season 12 continued that tradition. Navdeep emerged as the defensive leader of the side by collecting 73 tackle points in 21 matches, making him the team's highest-scoring defender. His timing, confidence, and ability to produce successful tackles during crucial moments gave Patna much-needed defensive stability. His performances transformed him into one of the breakout defenders of PKL Season 12.

Ankit Jaglan Continues to Lead from the Front

Captain Ankit Jaglan once again justified the franchise's faith after being retained through the Final Bid Match (FBM) card. Operating from the left corner, Jaglan delivered another consistent campaign with 51 tackle points across 22 matches. His leadership, experience, and ability to organize the defensive chain remained vital throughout the season. His partnership with Navdeep became one of the biggest strengths of the Pirates' defense.

Complete Team Effort on Both Ends

One of the encouraging aspects of Patna's campaign was the willingness of players to contribute beyond their primary roles. Even lead raider Ayan Lohchab chipped in with important tackle points during defensive situations, highlighting his all-round work ethic and commitment to the team. This balanced contribution reflected the culture Anup Kumar has tried to establish one where every player contributes regardless of position.

What Went Wrong?

Although Patna Pirates possessed one of the league's most exciting raiders and a dependable defensive unit, inconsistency proved costly. The team struggled to maintain momentum during crucial stretches of the league stage, resulting in an equal number of wins and defeats. Finishing seventh forced the Pirates to take the most difficult route through the newly introduced playoff system. Despite surviving the early knockout rounds, the accumulated pressure eventually caught up with them as their title hopes ended in Eliminator 3.

Final Verdict

Patna Pirates may not have lifted the PKL Season 12 trophy, but the season should still be viewed as a positive step forward. The emergence of Ayan Lohchab as a genuine 300+ point superstar gives the franchise a long-term franchise player around whom future squads can be built. At the same time, Navdeep's rise as a defensive leader and the continued consistency of Ankit Jaglan provide stability at the back. With Anup Kumar continuing to shape the squad and a strong young core already in place, Patna Pirates appear well-positioned to challenge for the title once again in PKL Season 13. If they can improve consistency and add a little more depth, the three-time champions could soon find themselves back among the league's biggest contenders.