The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) entered uncharted territory on Thursday evening when it witnessed its first-ever Golden Raid at the Vishwanadh Sports Club in Visakhapatnam. Dabang Delhi K.C. scripted history by defeating Puneri Paltan through the new rule, with raider Ashu Malik delivering a Super 10 and the decisive raid that sealed the contest.
The match ended 28-28 in regulation time, forcing a tie-breaker that itself finished at 5-5. With nothing to separate the two sides, the outcome was left to the Golden Raid, a rule introduced this season to ensure results in deadlocked encounters. Delhi had the luck of the coin toss, and Ashu Malik made it count by securing the point that carried his team over the line.
“It was a tough match from start to finish. Their defence was very strong, and at one stage, we were trailing by two to three points,” Ashu said after the game. “We didn’t expect the match to reach the Golden Raid, but our luck held, and we made the most of it.”
Iranian defender Fazel Atrachali also played a crucial role, registering a High Five in the match. Backing his teammate, he said the outcome was never in doubt once the tie-breaker unfolded. “At 5-5, I was not worried. We have too many good players like Ashu, who can turn the game. He is our game changer,” Fazel noted.
He also welcomed the tie-breaker rule, pointing out that it added excitement for fans. “Now Kabaddi is more thrilling. Earlier, ties could feel flat for some viewers, but now every moment matters, like in basketball or volleyball. We enjoy it, and we believe the fans are enjoying it too,” he added.
Despite the loss, Puneri Paltan captain Aslam Inamdar praised his team’s resilience. He admitted that the tension was at its peak during the coin toss. “My heart was beating so fast. We were praying for the result to go our way, but it was their luck. Winning and losing are part of the game, and we’ll learn from this,” he said.
Puneri Paltan head coach Ajay Thakur echoed similar sentiments, hailing the new rule as a positive step for the sport. “The public will enjoy this. A tied result earlier didn’t feel as satisfying, but now fans get closure. Even if a team loses, they remember the result. That is good for Kabaddi,” he remarked.
The historic Golden Raid has set the tone for the rest of PKL 12, signaling a more dynamic era for the sport, where fans and players alike are assured of high-intensity finishes.
