Thrilled By Naveen's Addition, Rahul Sethpal Backs Haryana Steelers To Win PKL Title

Last Updated:August 30, 2025, 15:26 IST

Naveen, who has previously represented Dabang Delhi in the Pro Kabaddi League, was signed for Rs 1.20 crore by Haryana in the PKL 2025 auction.

Naveen Kumar will play for Haryana Steelers in PKL 2025. (Picture Credit: Instagram/@haryanasteelers)

The 2025 edition of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) kicked off with a match between Telugu Titans and Tamil Thalaivas at Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Friday, August 29, and on Sunday, August 31, defending champions Haryana Steelers will begin their title defence against Bengal Warriors. Ahead of the start of their campaign in the new season of the PKL, Haryana Steelers vice-captain and star defender Rahul Sethpal, in an interview with News 18 Sports, opened up about the new season and said that the addition of Naveen Kumar, who was previously associated with Dabang Delhi, has made them (Haryana Steelers) favourites for the title once again.

“Our team is much stronger than last season this time around. Because the raiding department alone covers half of the match, and the addition of Naveen adds more strength to the team."

“With the addition of Naveen, we feel like we will enter the mat with more power and strength. And also the confidence level of the entire team goes up when we play with such a player. Our team is very good, and the inclusion of Naveen has a big positive impact on our team."

“We will win the trophy, and he (Naveen) will help a lot," he added.

Naveen was signed for Rs 1.20 crore by Haryana Steelers in the PKL 2025 mega auction. He played 16 matches last season and earned a total of 100 points. Overall he has earned 1120 points in 107 PKL matches played so far.

Rahul, who played 24 matches for Haryana last season and earned 73 tackle points, committed a few mistakes last season which cost his side, but this year, he wants to learn from his mistakes and come up with even bigger performances to help his side successfully defend the title.

“I want to rectify the mistakes that I committed last season. Last year because of my mistakes the team lost a couple of matches. The team expects me to not repeat those mistakes, and I will try to do the same. The coach is working on improving the strengths and weaknesses of the players. I won’t disappoint my fans this time around and will try to give my best performance," he said when asked about his expectations from himself in PKL 2025.

In the history of PKL, only one team – Patna Pirates – has successfully managed to defend their title, but Rahul is confident about his team’s chances this season.

“I want all the players of my team to do well, and on a personal front, I would like to improve my performance from last season and play a big role in the team’s win."

When asked which team, apart from Haryana Steelers, can win the title this year, Sethpal mentioned UP Yoddha’s name.

“In the auction, the balance of every team is almost the same. Making a team is not a big deal in Kabaddi. The more important thing is getting the right setting. The team which is settled better will shine. But if you ask me, then apart from my own team, one opponent that is looking very good is UP Yoddha. It will be a good game against them. Last year as well they challenged us in the league and in the semis too. This year as well, apart from Haryana, UP Yoddha is looking like the best team."

Rahul was also full of praise for Haryana Steelers’ head coach Manpreet Singh, who is a very big name in the kabaddi world. According to the star defender, Manpreet keeps the entire team united.

“He was one of the best players for India, and he understands that if a player commits a mistake, then he doesn’t scold. He believes in making the player understand his mistake and keeps the entire team together as if he is the elder brother and we all are his younger ones. He gives so much confidence to the players. He was a player himself, so he knows how to handle a player. He motivates so well that any player’s performance automatically gets improved and goes up.

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First Published:

August 30, 2025, 15:26 IST

News sports Thrilled By Naveen's Addition, Rahul Sethpal Backs Haryana Steelers To Win PKL Title

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