Pro Kabaddi League 2024: Here are five important facts every Kabaddi fan should know before the new season begins, such as league format, scoring methods, top players and key rule changes since the 2022 season.
The Pro Kabaddi League is gearing up for its 11th season, set to kick off on October 18, at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad. The inaugural match will feature a marquee clash between the Telugu Titans and the Bengaluru Bulls. As Fans eagerly await the new season, this article provides key information about PKL that every fan should know, including the league’s structure, scoring, Top players, and important regulations.
Pro Kabaddi League: Format and Points System
PKL offers an exciting format that keeps fans engaged all season long. Here’s a summary of the match duration and the points allocated to teams for wins, losses, and draws during the league phase:
- Match Duration: Each match consists of two halves, each lasting 20 minutes, ensuring fast-paced action.
- League Format: The league operates on a double league format, where each team competes against all others in a round-robin stage. The top six teams qualify for the playoffs, which include:
- Eliminators: Teams finishing in third to sixth place in the league table will compete in a knockout format, with matches set as 3rd vs. 6th and 4th vs. 5th placed team.
- Semi-Finals: The winners of the eliminators advance to face the 1st and 2nd placed teams in the league stage.
- Final: The two semi-final winners compete for the PKL title.
- Points Allocation: Points are awarded based on match outcomes:
- 5 points for a win
- 3 points for a draw
- 1 point if a team loses by fewer than seven points
This structure fosters intense competition, ensuring that every match impacts playoff standings. Teams must consistently perform well to secure their spot in the knockout rounds and compete for the championship.
PKL Scoring Methods
It’s important to know how teams score points in the Pro Kabaddi League. Here are the six ways that a point can be scored in a match:
- Raid Points: Earned by raiders who successfully touch opponents and return to their half, with each successful touch worth one point.
- Tackle Points: Defenders score points for successfully tackling raiders, also valued at one point per tackle.
- Bonus Points: If a raider crosses the bonus line while facing six or more defenders, they earn an additional point, even if tackled.
- Technical Points: Awarded for infractions by opponents, like coaching interference or stepping out of bounds.
- Do-or-Die Raid: If the raiding team fails to score in two consecutive raids, they must score in the next raid; otherwise, they lose one raider and the opposing team earns a point.
- All Out (Lona): A team earns two extra points for eliminating all opposing players, which also revives all their players.
Best Players and Teams
Pro Kabaddi has witnessed some exceptional talents throughout the seasons. Let’s explore key stats about the top raider, leading defender, highest-paid Indian and foreign players, and the most successful team in the league’s history:
Most Titles: The Patna Pirates hold the record for winning the most titles, showcasing their dominance in the league.
Current Champions: The reigning champions are the Puneri Paltan, who claimed victory in Season 10.
Top Raider: Record-breaker, Pardeep Narwal, renowned for his exceptional raiding skills, holds the record for the most raiding points in the league’s history, with a total of 1690 points. Pardeep was the first player to breach 1500 raiding points.
Best Defender: Iranian superstar Fazel Atrachali is the most successful defender in PKL with 424 tackle points. He was the first defender to reach 400 tackle points.
Highest Paid PKL Players: In season 10 auctions, Pawan Sehrawat became the highest-paid Pro Kabaddi League player when Telegu Titans acquired him for a whopping ₹2.64 crore. This season, Sachin Tanwar made headlines as a top earner, while Iran’s Mohammadreza Shadloui emerged as the highest-paid foreign player.
Key Rule Amended since PKL 2022
Back in 2022, the Pro Kabaddi League implemented three key rule amendments before the start of Season 9 to enhance team dynamics and support player development, which have been in effect ever since:
- Increased Squad Size: With the ability to include up to 14 players in their squads, teams gain greater flexibility and depth, allowing them to better manage injuries and maintain competitiveness throughout the season.
- Substitution Rules: The introduction of up to eight substitutions per match, including one during strategic time-outs, empowers coaches to make tactical adjustments and maximize player potential by rotating athletes more effectively.
- Lobby Rule Removed: By revising the lobby rule so that defenders who follow raiders into the lobby are not automatically considered out unless touched, the league encourages a more dynamic and strategic approach to both raiding and defending, enriching the overall competitive experience.
For more details on these rule changes, you can read the official ESPN article here.
Pro Kabaddi: India’s Second Most Popular Sports League
Since its inception in 2014, the Vivo Pro Kabaddi League has swiftly emerged as one of India’s premier sports leagues, currently positioned as the second most popular league after the Indian Premier League (IPL). In Season 10, the league attracted an impressive 226 million viewers, reflecting a 17% increase from the previous season. This growth can be largely attributed to strategic broadcasting efforts by Star Sports Network and a significant Title sponsorship agreement with Vivo, which have enhanced the league’s marketability. Moreover, government initiatives like Khelo India have created avenues for aspiring athletes to demonstrate their skills and secure opportunities within PKL teams, further contributing to the league’s overall success and talent development.
Conclusion
As we approach another exciting season of the Pro Kabaddi League, fans can anticipate thrilling matches filled with intense competition and remarkable talent. The league’s growth reflects not only its popularity but also its commitment to nurturing new talent and enhancing viewer engagement. With innovative scoring systems, high-profile players, and a focus on grassroots development, PKL 2024 promises to be an unforgettable experience for kabaddi enthusiasts.
Where to Watch 2024 PKL Live: Indian Fans can catch all the action live on Star Sports Network and Hotstar.
Follow Indic Sports on social media for all the latest updates on PKL season 11 and other sporting content.