A Golden Raid in Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is a crucial tie-breaking mechanism used when a match remains tied even after an initial series of tie-breaker raids. It serves as an ultimate decider to determine the winner of a tightly contested encounter.
When Does a Golden Raid Occur?
The Golden Raid scenario arises specifically when a match is tied after the regulation playing time, and also remains tied following the initial set of tie-breaker raids, typically involving 5 raids per team. If, after these 5-5 raids, the score is still level, the Golden Raid rule is invoked to find a clear winner.
The Golden Raid Process
The procedure for a Golden Raid is designed to give one team a final opportunity to secure victory:
- Fresh Toss: If the game is tied even after the initial 5-5 tie-breaker raids, a new coin toss is conducted.
- Winner's Opportunity: The team that wins this fresh toss gets the chance to execute the Golden Raid. This is a single raid opportunity for the winning team.
- Outcome:
- If the raiding team scores points, they win the match.
- If the raiding team is caught or fails to score, the match remains tied.
- Opponent's Chance: In the event that the score remains tied even after the first Golden Raid, the opportunity for a Golden Raid is then given to the opponent team. This ensures both teams get a fair chance to break the tie under this specific rule.
This rule emphasizes strategic play and precise execution under immense pressure, as a single raid can decide the outcome of the entire match. It adds an extra layer of excitement and intensity to closely fought contests in PKL.
