This is Part 6 of Sports Explained, our 12-part series of simple guides to the rules of the sports Indians love. New here? Start with Part 1: Cricket Formats, or read the previous part, Part 5: How the IPL Works.
Kabaddi has been played in Indian villages for centuries. Since the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) launched in 2014, it has become one of the most-watched sports in India. The rules are easy to pick up once you know a few terms.
The basics
- Two teams of seven players on court, with substitutes on the bench.
- A professional match lasts 40 minutes: two halves of 20 minutes.
- Teams take turns sending one raider into the opponent's half.
The raid
- The raider has 30 seconds to enter the opponent's half, touch one or more defenders, and return to their own half.
- The raider must cross the baulk line for the raid to count.
- Every defender touched who fails to stop the raider is out, earning a point each for the raider's team.
- Bonus point: If six or seven defenders are on court, the raider can earn a bonus point by touching the bonus line with one foot while the other foot is in the air.
The tackle
- If the defenders stop the raider from returning, the raider is out and the defending team earns a point.
- Super tackle: If three or fewer defenders are on court and they stop the raider, they earn two points.
Do-or-die raids
If a team makes two empty raids in a row, with no points, the third raid is a do-or-die raid: the raider must score, or be declared out.
All-outs and revivals
- Players who are out leave the court. Each point a team scores revives one of its out players.
- If all seven players of a team are out, it is an all-out: the opponents get two bonus points, and the full team returns.
The Pro Kabaddi League
- Twelve teams play a league stage followed by playoffs.
- In Season 12 (2025), drawn league matches were settled by a five-raid shootout, then a golden raid if still level.
- Dabang Delhi K.C. won the Season 12 title, beating Puneri Paltan in the final.
India and kabaddi
India's men have won kabaddi gold at almost every Asian Games since the sport was added in 1990, and India dominates the Kabaddi World Cup. The game is also popular in Iran, Bangladesh, Pakistan and South Korea.
Next, meet another traditional Indian chasing game in Part 7: Kho-Kho.
Rules are explained as they stand in October 2026. Governing bodies update their rules regularly, so check the latest official regulations for any competition.
Next in the series: Part 7: Kho-Kho.
