Patna Pirates Squad 2026: Full Player List, Ayan Lohchab and PKL 13 Outlook
The Patna Pirates squad produced the most dramatic run of PKL Season 12. Starting the postseason from seventh place, the three-time champions won three straight knockout matches before Telugu Titans finally stopped them in Eliminator 3. Along the way, Patna also had the league’s top raider and its top defender. This guide covers every player on the Season 12 roster, the young stars who powered that run, the contracts that carry into Season 13, and what the new coaching team will need from the auction.
Last updated: October 26, 2026. The official Season 13 squad will be confirmed after the retention announcement and player auction. This page lists the complete Season 12 roster and the players already tied to the club.
Patna Pirates Squad: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Home city | Patna, Bihar |
| PKL titles | 3 (Seasons 3, 4 and 5, the only hat-trick in PKL history) |
| Other finals | Runners-up in Season 8 and Season 11 |
| Season 12 finish | 7th in the league (8 wins, 10 losses, 16 points, +10) |
| Season 12 playoff run | Won Play-in 2, Eliminator 1 and Eliminator 2; lost Eliminator 3 to Telugu Titans |
| Season 12 top raider | Ayan Lohchab, 316 raid points (Raider of the Season) |
| Season 12 top defender | Navdeep, 73 tackle points |
| Season 13 head coach | Jasveer Singh (new appointment), with Dinesh Kharb as assistant coach |
| Season 13 squad status | To be confirmed after retentions and the auction |
Patna Pirates Squad 2026: Full Season 12 Player List
Here is the complete Patna Pirates squad from Season 12, grouped by role as listed in the official squad release, with Season 12 numbers where available. Matches include playoff games, which is why some players featured in more than 18.
Raiders
| Player | Position | Season 12 Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Ayan Lohchab | Left raider | 316 raid points, the most in the league |
| Ankit Rana | Left raider | 77 raid points in 20 matches |
| Maninder Singh | Raider | 40 raid points in 7 matches; signed for INR 20 lakh |
| Milan Dahiya | Right raider | 34 raid points in 16 matches |
| Mandeep Kumar | Raider | 15 raid points in 5 matches; signed at base price |
| Sudhakar M | Raider | Retained young player |
| Deepak | Raider | Retained before the auction |
| Sahil Patil | Raider | Retained before the auction |
Defenders
| Player | Position | Season 12 Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Navdeep | Right corner | 73 tackle points in 21 matches, the most in the league |
| Deepak Rajender Singh | Right cover | 33 tackle points in 21 matches; INR 86 lakh FBM deal |
| Hamid Mirzaei Nader (Iran) | Defender, overseas | Retained before the auction |
| Amin Ghorbani (Iran) | Right corner, overseas | Signed for INR 13 lakh |
| Thiyagarajan Yuvaraj | Defender | Retained before the auction |
| Sombir | Right corner | 2 tackle points in 7 matches |
| Sanket Sawant | Left cover | Squad option |
| Balasaheb Shahaji Jadhav | Right cover | Squad option |
| Saurabh | Left cover | Did not feature |
| Prianshu | Left corner | Did not feature |
All-Rounder
| Player | Note |
|---|---|
| Ankit Jaglan | Kept with a one-season FBM at INR 1.573 crore, at the time the most expensive Indian defender ever |
Patna also added experienced right cover Vaibhav Garje as a replacement during the season. He featured in eight matches and scored six tackle points.
Key Players in the Patna Pirates Squad
Here is a quick summary of the leading names before the detailed profiles.
| Player | Role | Season 12 Impact | Contract or Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayan Lohchab | Left raider | 316 raid points (Raider of the Season) | Retention decision |
| Navdeep | Right corner | 73 tackle points in 21 matches | Needs new contract |
| Deepak Rajender Singh | Right cover | 33 tackle points in 21 matches | Two-season FBM, INR 86 lakh |
| Ankit Jaglan | All-rounder / left corner | Kept for INR 1.573 crore | One-season FBM ended |
| Maninder Singh | Raider | 40 raid points in 7 matches | INR 20 lakh |
Ayan Lohchab: Raider of the Season
Ayan Lohchab was the story of Season 12. The young left raider finished with 316 raid points, more than any other player in the league, and was named Raider of the Season. He carried the attack through the league stage and into the knockouts, where Patna needed someone to deliver points under pressure. For a franchise with Patna’s history of great raiders, Ayan’s season put him in conversation with the club’s best.
Navdeep: The League’s Best Tackler
At the other end, right corner Navdeep led the league with 73 tackle points in 21 matches. He arrived as a New Young Player and left Season 12 as one of the most valuable defenders in PKL. Fan contract trackers report that his young-player deal has ended, so Patna would need to offer him a longer retained-young-player contract to keep him. That decision is one of the most important in the whole Season 13 retention window.
Ankit Jaglan: The Expensive Anchor
Patna showed how much they valued Ankit Jaglan by matching a INR 1.573 crore bid with their Final Bid Match card. That made him the most expensive Indian defender in PKL history at the time. Because the FBM was for one season, his contract ended after Season 12, and he depends on a new decision for Season 13.
Deepak Rajender Singh: Locked In for Season 13
Right cover Deepak Singh was kept with a two-season FBM at INR 86 lakh, according to the official auction report. He scored 33 tackle points in 21 matches and is already contracted for Season 13, making him the first confirmed piece of the new Patna Pirates squad.
Maninder Singh: A Veteran Bargain
One of PKL’s all-time great raiders, Maninder Singh, joined Patna for just INR 20 lakh. He played seven matches and scored 40 raid points. His experience gave the young attack a valuable voice in the dressing room.
How the Patna Pirates Squad Was Built for Season 12
After finishing as runners-up in Season 11, Patna chose continuity. Before the auction, the franchise kept defenders Hamid Mirzaei Nader, Thiyagarajan Yuvaraj and Navdeep, plus raiders Sudhakar M, Ayan, Deepak and Sahil Patil. At the auction, they spent big to keep Ankit Jaglan and added depth around their young core.
Season 12 Auction Moves
| Player | Role | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ankit Jaglan | All-rounder / left corner | INR 1.573 crore | FBM, one season |
| Deepak Rajender Singh | Right cover | INR 86 lakh | FBM, two seasons |
| Maninder Singh | Raider | INR 20 lakh | Veteran signing |
| Amin Ghorbani | Overseas right corner | INR 13 lakh | |
| Mandeep Kumar | Raider | INR 9 lakh | Base price |
Those two FBM deals shaped Patna’s whole season. For context on how they compare with other big auction prices, see our list of the highest-paid PKL players.
Patna Pirates Season 12 Review: From Seventh to Eliminator 3
The league stage was uneven. The Patna Pirates squad won eight and lost ten of its 18 matches, finishing seventh on 16 points. They were level on points and wins with eighth-placed Jaipur Pink Panthers, but a positive score difference of +10 against Jaipur’s -48 put Patna higher. Even in a mixed league campaign, there were signs of what was coming, including a 33-30 win over eventual champions Dabang Delhi K.C. during the Jaipur leg.
The Knockout Run
| Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Play-in 2 | U Mumba | Won |
| Eliminator 1 | Jaipur Pink Panthers | Won 48-32 |
| Eliminator 2 | Bengaluru Bulls | Won |
| Eliminator 3 | Telugu Titans | Lost |
Three straight elimination wins showed exactly why the expanded eight-team playoff format matters: it gave a seventh-placed team a genuine path, and Patna nearly made it all the way. The detailed format is explained in our PKL playoffs schedule guide.
Patna Pirates Squad Contract Status for PKL 13
Several Season 13 places are already settled. Others depend on retention decisions by the new coaching team. Fan contract trackers report the following picture.
| Player | Category | Season 13 Position |
|---|---|---|
| Deepak Rajender Singh | Two-season FBM | Contracted |
| Sudhakar M | Retained Young Player | Expected to stay |
| Ankit Rana | Existing New Young Player | Stays automatically (reported) |
| Milan Dahiya | Existing New Young Player | Stays automatically (reported) |
| Saurabh Narwal | Existing New Young Player | Stays automatically (reported) |
| Prianshu Lathwal | Existing New Young Player | Stays automatically (reported) |
| Navdeep | Needs a new young-player contract | Key decision |
| Ankit Jaglan | One-season FBM ended | Key decision |
| Ayan Lohchab | Retention decision | Key decision |
The Biggest Questions
Keeping Ayan Lohchab and Navdeep together would preserve the heart of the team. But both will cost far more to keep after their breakout seasons, and a franchise also has to think about Ankit Jaglan’s price. Patna cannot keep everyone at top value, so the retention list will reveal which direction Jasveer Singh wants to take.
Patna Pirates Squad and the New Coaching Team
Patna appointed Jasveer Singh as head coach for Season 13, with Dinesh Kharb as assistant. Jasveer coached UP Yoddhas from Season 6 to Season 12 and took them to the playoffs five times in seven seasons. He is known for building strong defensive units and developing young players, which suits a Patna Pirates squad built around young talent.
Patna have changed head coaches several times since Ram Mehar Singh left after Season 8, so stability is a big theme. A coach who understands how to turn young players into consistent performers could be exactly what the franchise needs.
Patna Pirates Coaching Staff for Season 13
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Jasveer Singh |
| Assistant coach | Dinesh Kharb |
| Previous role | UP Yoddhas head coach, Seasons 6 to 12 |
| Record at UP | Playoffs five times in seven seasons |
Strengths of the Patna Pirates Squad
Elite Young Talent
Having the league’s top raider and top defender, both still young, gives Patna a foundation that most franchises would envy.
Knockout Character
Winning three elimination games in a row shows a squad that performs when everything is on the line.
Depth From Young-Player Contracts
Ankit Rana and Milan Dahiya both contributed regularly and are reported to stay automatically, giving the squad affordable depth.
Weaknesses the Patna Pirates Squad Must Fix
League-Stage Consistency
Ten league defeats left Patna needing the long route through the playoffs. A stronger league stage would earn them an easier path.
Dependence on One Raider
Ayan Lohchab’s 316 raid points were outstanding, but the gap to the next raider was large. A reliable second raider would make the attack harder to stop.
Retention Costs
Breakout seasons raise prices. Keeping the best young players will take a big share of the purse, which could limit auction flexibility.
Patna Pirates Squad Strengths and Weaknesses at a Glance
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| League-leading raider and defender | Ten league defeats |
| Proven knockout character | Heavy reliance on one raider |
| Affordable depth from young players | Rising cost of keeping breakout stars |
| Experienced new head coach | Repeated coaching changes since Season 8 |
What Patna Pirates Need at the PKL 13 Auction
The PKL Season 13 auction will decide how complete the new Patna Pirates squad looks. These are the likely priorities.
Priority 1: Protect the Young Core
Keeping Ayan Lohchab and Navdeep, through retention or the FBM card, would be the first goal for most Patna fans.
Priority 2: A Second Strike Raider
An experienced raider who can take pressure off Ayan would add balance.
Priority 3: Left Corner Clarity
With Ankit Jaglan’s one-season deal over, Patna need a clear answer at left corner.
Patna Pirates Auction Priority Table
| Priority | Target | Urgency | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Protect the young core | High | Ayan Lohchab and Navdeep had breakout seasons |
| 2 | Second strike raider | High | Ease the load on Ayan |
| 3 | Left corner answer | Medium | Ankit Jaglan’s one-season deal has ended |
Patna Pirates Squad: Likely Core for Season 13
| Role | Likely Core Options |
|---|---|
| Lead raider | Ayan Lohchab (if retained) |
| Support raiders | Ankit Rana, Milan Dahiya, Sudhakar M |
| Right corner | Navdeep (if retained) |
| Right cover | Deepak Rajender Singh |
| Left corner | To be decided |
This is analysis based on Season 12 form and reported contracts, not an official line-up. For the full franchise guide, visit the main Patna Pirates team page.
Patna Pirates Squad History: The Hat-Trick Club
Patna are the only team to win three PKL titles in a row, lifting the trophy in Seasons 3, 4 and 5. Those teams were led by the legendary Pardeep Narwal, PKL’s all-time leading raider. They also reached the final in Season 8, losing 37-36 to Dabang Delhi K.C., and in Season 11, losing 32-23 to Haryana Steelers. That record makes Patna one of the most successful franchises in league history, and the Season 12 run suggests the next generation is ready to add to it.
Patna Pirates Key Milestones
| Season | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Season 3 (2016) | Champions, beat U Mumba 31-28 |
| Season 4 (2016) | Champions, beat Jaipur Pink Panthers 37-29 |
| Season 5 (2017) | Champions, beat Gujarat Fortune Giants 55-38 |
| Season 8 (2021-22) | Runners-up, lost to Dabang Delhi K.C. 37-36 |
| Season 11 (2024) | Runners-up, lost to Haryana Steelers 32-23 |
| Season 12 (2025) | 7th in the league, reached Eliminator 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Has the Patna Pirates squad for PKL 13 been announced?
Not yet. The Season 13 squad will be finalised after the official retention list and the player auction. This page shows the full Season 12 roster and players already tied to the club.
Who was the top raider in the Patna Pirates squad in Season 12?
Ayan Lohchab led the whole league with 316 raid points and was named Raider of the Season.
Who is the new Patna Pirates coach?
Jasveer Singh is the new head coach for Season 13, with Dinesh Kharb as assistant coach. Jasveer previously coached UP Yoddhas from Season 6 to Season 12.
How many titles have Patna Pirates won?
Patna Pirates have won three titles, in Seasons 3, 4 and 5. They are the only team to win back-to-back PKL titles.
Which Patna players are already confirmed for Season 13?
Right cover Deepak Rajender Singh was kept with a two-season FBM deal, so he is contracted for Season 13. Young players in the second year of their contracts, such as Ankit Rana and Milan Dahiya, are reported to stay automatically.
How far did Patna Pirates go in Season 12?
They finished seventh in the league, then won Play-in 2, Eliminator 1 and Eliminator 2 before losing to Telugu Titans in Eliminator 3.
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