After a two-year long break the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is set make a comeback and is scheduled to start from December 22, with a triple-header in Bengaluru. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year's PKL is going to be held behind closed doors
For the first time PKL will have triple headers on the first four days. The last edition of PKL was held in 2019 with 12 teams vying for the title.
The same 12 teams are going to take part in this year’s eighth edition of PKL. U Mumba will take on Bengaluru Bulls in the opening game of the eighth season. That game will be followed by a South Indian derby, with Telugu Titans facing Tamil Thalaivas, before defending champions Bengal Warriors face off against UP Yoddha in the third game of the opening day.
Venue of the opening matches
The matches are slated to take place at the Sheraton Grand Bengaluru Whitefield Hotel and Convention Centre. Though, spectators will not be allowed to enter the venue due to the current pandemic.
Bengal Warriors had claimed the seventh edition of PKL that took place in 2019. In the final match, Dabang Delhi were defeated by the Warriors 39-34 and the Bengal team claimed their maiden title as well.
Currently Patna Pirates are the most successful franchise in the history of the Pro Kabaddi League with three titles under their belt. Bengal Warriors, Bengaluru Bulls, Jaipur Pink Panthers and U Mumba have won one title each.
Rules of the game
Every team can have a minimum of 18 players and a maximum of 25 players in their squad and also it is mandatory for every team to have at least two and a maximum of four overseas players in their roster.
A raider will have to start the “Kabaddi” chant before he touches the opponent’s side of the half court and if a raider goes out of turn, the Umpire or Referee will order him to go back and a technical point will be given to the opponent team and also the chance to raid.
If a raider, who is caught by defenders, escapes from their attempt to hold and reaches his court safely, he shall not be pursued. But if the raider manages to touch defenders (one or more) and reaches his court safely, he may be pursued.
If a team can manage to put out the opponent team entirely and none of the opponents are entitled to be revived, then that team will score an all-out. Two extra points are awarded an for all-out in addition to the points scored by the team putting out all the players of the opponent.
The duration of a match will be a minimum of 40 minutes divided equally in two halves along with 5 minutes interval between halves. Two teams will change sides after the interval.
Each team shall score one point for every opponent out or put out. Each team shall score one point for every bonus point awarded. If the raider is caught when there are only three defenders or less, the defending team will get an additional bonus point. The total points awarded in such instances are two.
Each team can make a maximum number of five substitutions per match. Substituted players can be substituted again by using one of the remaining substitute chances out of the total five substitutions allowed in a match.
Winners of previous editions
Jaipur Pink Panthers were the winners of the inaugural edition (2014) of PKL. They defeated U Mumba by 11 points in the final match.
Runners of the first edition, U Mumba lifted the trophy in the second edition by beating Bengaluru Bulls by 6 points. U Mumba managed to feature in the next season’s final as well but had to be content with the second spot only after losing to Patna Pirates.
Patna Pirates managed to secure three consecutive titles. Pirates are the only team to defend their title successfully twice.
The sixth edition of PKL was won by Bengaluru Bulls. Bengal Warriors are the winners of the last edition after they managed to beat Dabang Delhi by five points (39-34).
Best performers
UP Yoddha, one of the newest franchises of PKL (joined in the fifth edition) strengthened their attack by roping in 'Dubki King' Pardeep Narwal in the 2021 auction. The North India-based franchise paid a record-breaking money to acquire the services of the raider who holds most of the raiding records in PKL history.
In two editions (2016 and 2017) Sonepat-born, 24-year old, claimed the award of best raider. In terms of total raid points and total points Narwal is the leader.
Manjeet Chhillar, who plays for Tamil Thalaivas, has the most tackle points (339 points).
Captains of the upcoming edition-
Defending champions, Bengal Warriors will feature in the eighth edition under the captaincy of raider Maninder Singh. Last season’s runners up Dabang Delhi will be led by veteran defender Joginder Narwal.
The most successful team in the history of PKL- Patna Pirates will have Prashanth Kumar Rai as their leader. Tamil Thalaivas named Surjeet Singh as their skipper and K Prapanjan as his deputy for the eighth Pro Kabaddi League season.
Bengaluru Bulls will be led by their star Indian raider Pawan Kumar Sehrawat, who was the best raider in PKL 7. Another Indian raider Nitin Tomar will play the role of Puneri Paltan's skipper in PKL 8.
Best defender of PKL 6, Nitesh Kumar, is going to lead the UP Yoddha side.
