Patna Pirates are undergoing a major shake-up for the next edition of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). After the exit of its head coach and defence, their latest departure has come in the form of assistant coach Prashanth Rai.
Rai had been a key figure in the Pirates’ coaching staff for two seasons. In Season 11, he worked under head coach Narender Redhu, helping the team reach the final. In Season 12, he served alongside Anup Kumar, and after Anup’s early departure due to personal reasons, the coaching responsibilities shifted to defence coach Randeep Dalal. The makeshift leadership group ultimately delivered an inspiring late-season revival.
Rai also shares a long history with the franchise as a player. He captained the Pirates in Season 8, leading them to the PKL final, where they finished as runners-up to Dabang Delhi.
Why the Pirates Let Prashanth Rai Go
According to sources within the franchise, Patna Pirates are seeking to rebuild their identity from the ground up. Right after the conclusion of PKL 12, the team parted ways with head coach Anup Kumar.
One of the reasons for Kumar’s removal could be his sub-par performance as a coach. Pirates had roped in him ahead of the Season 12. Under his guidance, the team won only 2 out of the 9 matches and were placed at the bottom of the table with just three wins in 13 matches.
Few days later, the franchise announced that it has parted ways with defence coach Randeep Dalal.
Also Read: Players With Most Tackle Points In PKL12
Patna Pirates were at the bottom of the table midway through the Season 12. They had captured just three wins in 13 matches of the PKL 12. This is when Kumar left the team citing personal reasons and the reign was handed over to Dalal.
Under the leadership of Dalal, the Pirates made a strong comeback, winning five consecutive games to qualify for the top 8.
Looking for a fresh start, Patna Pirates last month appointed Jasveer Singh as its head coach for PKL 13. Under the new leadership, the team is hoping to bring in stability and retain their character as the most sucessfull team of Pro Kabaddi League.
