Furthermore, the "Holding Tackle" gained prominence. Rather than going for an immediate, spectacular ankle hold, defenders learned to simply wrap the raider and hold on, draining their oxygen and momentum, allowing a second defender to complete the tackle. This was most effectively employed by the Haryana Steelers’ corner duo, who conceded the least "super raids" in the league. The role of the all-rounder also expanded. Players like Mohammadreza Shadloui (Puneri Paltan) were no longer just support acts; they were primary raiders and lead defenders, capable of turning a match in a single five-point swing. The 2024 season proved that the era of the specialist was giving way to the supremacy of the versatile, multi-dimensional player.
The final, played in a sold-out stadium in Hyderabad, was a fitting climax. It pitted the defensive juggernaut, the Puneri Paltan, against the high-octane raiding unit of the Haryana Steelers. For 30 minutes, it was a chess match of epic proportions. Puneri’s "chain defense" repeatedly neutralized Haryana’s star raiders, forcing them into empty raids. In response, Haryana’s corners unleashed a series of "super tackles" on Puneri’s second-string raiders. pro kabaddi league 2024
If there was one tactical evolution that defined PKL 2024, it was the metamorphosis of the "Do-or-Die" raid. Previously seen as a formality to reset the attack, in 2024, it became a weapon. Raiders developed a new repertoire: the "multi-point Do-or-Die," where they would feint a touch on the cover defender before escaping through the corner, catching the defense off-guard. This forced defensive units to completely rethink their formation during these crucial raids, often leading to hesitation. Furthermore, the "Holding Tackle" gained prominence