What Is 2017 Pro Kabaddi League season

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Pro Kabaddi League season was the fifth edition of the league, held from July 28 to October 28, 2017, featuring 12 teams and culminating in Patna Pirates winning their third consecutive title.

Key Facts

The 2017 Pro Kabaddi League season ran from July 28 to October 28, 2017
12 teams participated, including new entrants Gujarat Fortune Giants and Tamil Thalaivas
Patna Pirates won the championship, defeating Gujarat Fortune Giants 48–43 in the final
Fazal Atrachali was named Defender of the Tournament with 83 tackle points
Pawan Kumar was the top raider with 289 raid points

Overview

The 2017 Pro Kabaddi League season marked the fifth consecutive year of India’s premier kabaddi competition, showcasing high-octane action across multiple cities. This edition expanded to include 12 franchises, with two new teams joining the league, increasing regional representation and fan engagement nationwide.

Hosted in a multi-city format, matches were played in cities such as Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, drawing packed crowds and strong television viewership. The season concluded with Patna Pirates making history by securing their third consecutive title, a first in PKL history.

12 teams competed in the 2017 season, up from 10 in the previous year, reflecting the league’s rapid expansion and popularity.
The season began on July 28, 2017, with the opening match held in Hyderabad between Telugu Titans and Tamil Thalaivas.
The final match took place on October 28, 2017, at the Hyderabad Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, drawing over 8,000 spectators.
Patna Pirates defeated Gujarat Fortune Giants 48–43 in the final, becoming the first team to win three titles in a row.
The tournament featured over 137 matches played across 90 days, making it the longest season to date in terms of duration.

How It Works

The 2017 Pro Kabaddi League followed the standard format of two halves with a two-minute halftime break, emphasizing both raiding and tackling strategies. Each team fielded seven players, and matches were fast-paced, typically lasting under 40 minutes.

Raid Time Limit: Each raider had 30 seconds to initiate a raid after the whistle, encouraging aggressive gameplay and reducing downtime.
Do-or-Die Raids: Introduced in Season 3, this rule required a raider to score within one raid if no points were earned in the previous three, increasing match tension.
Super Tackle: A defensive play where a single defender stops a raider alone, earning 2 points for the defending team, became a key strategy.
Bonus Points: Raiders earned 1 bonus point for crossing the bonus line, even if tackled, incentivizing deeper raids.
Team Composition: Each squad had 18 players, including at least three defenders and three raiders, ensuring balanced team dynamics.
Point System: Wins earned 5 points, ties gave 3 points each, and losses still awarded 1 point if the losing team scored 21+ points.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key performance metrics and standings from the 2017 Pro Kabaddi League season:

Team	Wins	Total Points	Top Raider	Top Defender
Patna Pirates	15	92	Pardeep Narwal (289 raid points)	Fazal Atrachali (83 tackle points)
Gujarat Fortune Giants	13	82	Arjun Deshwal (215 raid points)	Vishal Mane (67 tackle points)
Puneri Paltan	12	78	Pankaj Mohite (201 raid points)	Mohit Chillar (59 tackle points)
U Mumba	11	74	Abhishek Singh (244 raid points)	Anand Shinde (56 tackle points)
Tamil Thalaivas	6	52	Rajesh Mondal (178 raid points)	Surjeet Singh (51 tackle points)

The table highlights how Patna Pirates dominated both offensively and defensively, leading the league in points scored and tackles made. Their consistency across phases of play set them apart from competitors, especially in knockout stages where mental toughness was crucial. The inclusion of new teams like Tamil Thalaivas showed promise but also revealed gaps in experience and depth compared to established franchises.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was pivotal in cementing Pro Kabaddi League as a major force in India’s sports economy and globalizing the traditional sport. Its success influenced broadcasting deals, sponsorship interest, and youth participation in kabaddi across rural and urban areas.

Record viewership reached 223 million cumulative impressions, making it the second-most-watched sports league in India after the IPL.
The league attracted over $50 million in sponsorship revenue, with major brands like VIVO and Coca-Cola increasing investments.
Young athletes began prioritizing kabaddi careers, with over 1,200 new registrations in state-level academies post-season.
Women’s kabaddi gained traction, with discussions beginning for a potential Women’s Pro Kabaddi League by 2020.
The success of foreign players like Iran’s Fazal Atrachali highlighted the league’s global talent appeal and cross-border reach.
PKL’s franchise model inspired similar leagues in Bangladesh and Nepal, promoting regional sports development.

Overall, the 2017 Pro Kabaddi League season not only delivered thrilling sports action but also demonstrated the commercial viability and cultural significance of reviving traditional games in modern formats. Its legacy continues to shape how indigenous sports are marketed and sustained in the 21st century.