Know About Pro Kabaddi League

Introduced in 2014, the Pro Kabaddi League, revolutionized the sport of kabaddi in India. It was skeptical about its sustainability as compared to other established leagues such as the IPL and ISL, but soon PKL emerged as the second-most-followed sports league in India. It was a quick game and matches were relatively shorter, and hence, a source of adrenaline for the audiences throughout the nation.

Originally an activity played by villagers in regions such as Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Maharashtra, PKL brought the game to all of India. The league hosts 12 teams competing for the title and, over the years, has expanded in popularity as well as intensity.

Mashal Sports Pvt. Ltd. launched PKL back in 2014 after Star India bought a 74% stake in it. PKL has transformed the game, getting the sport on global viewership and positioning a few players in the household space. It operates with the support of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), International Kabaddi Federation (IKF), and Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF). Initially featuring eight teams, PKL expanded to 12 teams in its fifth season, increasing the league’s intensity and appeal.

Teams in PKL

• U Mumba
• Bengaluru Bulls
• Telugu Titans
• Jaipur Pink Panthers
• Bengal Warriors
• Tamil Thalaivas
• Gujarat Fortune Giants
• Haryana Steelers
• UP Yoddha
• Dabang Delhi KC
• Patna Pirates
• Puneri Paltan

Memorable Seasons and Champions

• Season 1 (2014): Jaipur Pink Panthers won the inaugural title.
• Season 2 (2015): U Mumba clinched the championship.
• Season 3 (2016): Patna Pirates claimed their first title.
• Season 4 (2016): Patna Pirates defended their title successfully.
• Season 5 (2017): Patna Pirates made history by winning three consecutive titles.
• Season 6 (2018): Bengaluru Bulls secured their maiden championship.
• Season 7 (2019): Bengal Warriors triumphed over Dabang Delhi KC.

Best Players in PKL

• Rahul Chaudhari – Leading point scorer with over 876 points.
• Pardeep Narwal – Record-breaking raider.
• Deepak Niwas Hooda – Versatile all-rounder.
• Ajay Thakur – Veteran raider.
• Manjeet Chhillar – Top defender in league history.

PKL Rules and Format

PKL follows traditional kabaddi rules with additional features to enhance gameplay. The “do-or-die raid” rule requires a raider to score within two empty raids, while a “Super Tackle” gives defenders extra points when stopping a raid with fewer than four players on their team.

The league follows a group and playoff format. Twelve teams are split into two zones, each playing 22 matches. The top three teams from each zone qualify for the playoffs, leading to an intense knockout stage culminating in the final.

Sponsorship and Prize Money

Vivo Electronics Corp. signed a ₹300 crore deal for a five-year sponsorship, renaming the league as Vivo Pro Kabaddi League. The 2018 champion team won ₹3 crore, while the runners-up earned ₹1.80 crore. The MVP and top raiders/defenders received ₹15 lakh and ₹10 lakh, respectively.

Upcoming Season

PKL’s eighth season was initially scheduled for April 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic. The league is set to resume with 12 teams competing for ultimate glory.

With its growing popularity, PKL continues to elevate kabaddi’s status on a global stage, promising high-octane action for years to come.