Most Do-or-die Raid Points in Season 8 | VIVO Pro Kabaddi

The eighth edition of the VIVO Pro Kabaddi League came to an exciting close with Dabang Delhi K.C. winning their maiden title. While young and experienced players put forward their insane skill on display, there were a few players who seized game-changing moments and turned the tide around for their teams in do-or-die situations.

A do-or-die raid is a raid after two consecutive empty raids, where the raider has to compulsorily score a point against the opposition's defence. A raider failing to score in the do-or-die raid is considered out even if he doesn't get tackled. Here, the defending team gets awarded a point, and one of the previously eliminated players gets revived. This rule helps the scoring rate of the game by assuring that every third raid fetches a score for either team.

Here, we look at the players who were at their attacking best with most do-or-die raid points in VIVO Pro Kabaddi League Season 8.

MOHIT GOYAT (PUNERI PALTAN)

Puneri Paltan unearthed a raw talent in the form of youngster Mohit Goyat in Season 8. A product of Future Kabaddi Heroes, Mohit did not shy away from raiding challenges in testing circumstances for his side and succeeded in collecting 49 do-or-die raid points in 21 matches for the side. Often entrusted with the responsibility of snatching a point in a do-or-die situation, he showcased impressive game awareness and put the opposition in doubt on most of the occasions. Puneri Paltan coach Anup Kumar has also heaped praise on the bright talent on many occasions making him the one to watch out for in the years to come.

ARJUN DESHWAL (JAIPUR PINK PANTHERS)

Arjun Deshwal formed the lynchpin of Jaipur Pink Panthers’ attack in Season 8 and played a crucial role in his side’s valiant attempt to make it to the playoffs. Though the Panthers failed to nail the top six berth, Deshwal owned the mat in challenging situations and ended the league with 44 do-or-die raid points in 22 matches. Bought in the 2021 auctions at a whopping price of INR 96 lakhs, Deshwal did not disappoint and impressed one and all with his tactical acumen.

AJINKYA PAWAR (TAMIL THALAIVAS)

Strong and smart with his skills and technique, Ajinkya Pawar provided much-needed stability to the Tamil Thalaivas’ attack in a season that did not go right for his side. In 18 matches, he finished with 42 do-or-die raid points with his swift moves that often put the defenders in a moment of doubt. Pawar’s form proved to be one of the few positives for the Thalaivas’ who eventually were in the second half of the table. The team showed immense faith in his abilities and entrusted him with the responsibility of securing much-needed do-or-die moments in order to change the course of the game.

SACHIN (PATNA PIRATES)

Patna Pirates had a dominating run in Season 8 only to falter at the final hurdle. Raider Sachin proved to be a key aspect in their fruitful campaign by owning the mat at important junctures and garnered 40 do-or-die raid points in 23 matches to stand fourth in the season’s list of most do-or-die points scored. Pirates’ coach Ram Mehar Singh and captain Prashanth Rai were highly impressed with his knack of collecting Super 10s and winning significant points when the team demanded it most.

MANINDER SINGH (BENGAL WARRIORS)

Skipper of the previous title-winning Bengal Warriors outfit, Maninder Singh shone bright in an otherwise disappointing campaign that saw them finish ninth in the PKL standings. Sturdily built and often operating with brute force, Maninder bagged 39 do-or-die raid points in 22 matches. Known to drag the defenders with all his might, his raids instilled both fear and doubt in the opposition camp making him one of the toughest raiders to get away with.