Rakesh Kumar-coached Haryana emerged victorious courtesy a power-packed performance by Naveen. Naveen's Super 10 helped the Steelers defeat the Paltan 34-24. The win also marked coach Rakesh Sharma's first win in the Pro Kabaddi league.
Naveen top scored for the winning Haryana based franchise with 14 points in total. Meanwhile, Pawan Kadian finished with a Super 10 but it wasn't enough for Puneri Paltan to prevent a defeat.
Earlier in the day, Jaipur Pink Panthers clinched a comfortable win over U Mumba.
Haryana finished sixth with 42 points while Puneri finished at the fourth place with 52 points in Zone A of the last season. Haryana banked on the insights and experience from India's kabaddi legend Rakesh Kumar as coach.
The two-time World Cup winning player had said that his players are very excited to start this season. It was a special match Monday as two of India's finest players -- Anup Kumar and Rakesh Kumar -- were pitted against each other.
Anup is now the coach of Puneri Paltan while Haryana Steelers are being coached by his long-time teammate Rakesh Kumar. Puneri Paltan made a strong start as Pawan Kadian made a two-point raid to give them a 3-0 lead in the first few minutes of the match.
Haryana came back strongly to inch slightly ahead in the first five minutes. It was an evenly-matched contest in the first 10 minutes, but Haryana Steelers shifted gears soon thereafter.
First, it was Naveen who picked up a few raid points to help Haryana Steelers inflict an all-out as they led 11-6 after 12 minutes.