If you’re a Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) fan or just getting started with betting, you’ve probably wondered: Should I bet on the raiders who score a lot or the defenders who don’t let anyone score?
In PKL, things change fast. A Super Raid can turn the game around, but a defender’s High 5 can ruin a team’s plan. If you want to win money betting, don’t just pick the most popular players. Learn which stats really matter for winning.
Let’s look closely at the stats that explain Kabaddi.
The Raiders: Offensive Powerhouses
Raiders are the showmen of PKL. They are the most common targets for Top Scorer and Player Performance bets. However, looking at total points alone is a trap.
1. Raid Strike Rate (RSR)
Total raid points can be misleading if a raider takes 30 attempts to get 10 points.
- Why it matters: A high RSR (Successful Raids vs. Total Raids) indicates efficiency. In betting, this helps predict Over/Under raid points more accurately.
2. Not-Out Percentage
This is the most underrated stat in betting.
- The Logic: If a star raider is off the mat for 10 minutes because they keep getting tackled, they can’t score. A high Not-Out % (like Ashish Sangwan’s 82.38%) ensures the player stays active, making them a safer bet for consistent point accumulation.
3. Do-or-Die (DOD) Raid Points
Some raiders thrive under pressure.
- Betting Tip: If a team has a specialist like Maninder Singh (the king of DOD raids), they are less likely to concede All-Outs during technical phases, making them a strong pick for Match Winner markets in close games.
The Defenders: The Silent Match-Winners
There’s an old saying in PKL: Raiders win matches, but defenders win tournaments. For betting, defensive stats are often where the highest value (better odds) is found.
1. Tackle Success Rate
Just like the raid strike rate, you want to see how many successful tackles a defender makes compared to their total attempts.
- The Trap: Avoid aggressive defenders who have high points but also high unsuccessful tackle counts. They often give away easy “touch points,” which can ruin a Total Points Under bet.
2. High 5s & Super Tackles
A High 5 (5 tackle points in one match) is the defensive equivalent of a century in cricket.
- Why it matters: Defenders like Fazel Atrachali or Navdeep who frequently score High 5s are gold for Top Defender bets. Super Tackles (tackling with 3 or fewer defenders) are crucial for Handicap Betting because they offer 2 points and can trigger a comeback.
3. Team Revival Rate
How quickly can a defense bring their star raider back? If the defense is leaking points, the raider stays on the bench. A cohesive defense stabilizes the team’s Win Probability.
Which Stats Win Your Bet?
| Bet Type | Key Statistic to Watch |
| Match Winner | Team Successful Tackle % + Raider Not-Out % |
| Top Raider | Raid Strike Rate + Total Successful Raids |
| Top Defender | High 5 Frequency + Tackle Success Rate |
| Total Points (Over/Under) | Average Raid Points per Match (Both Teams) |
The Pro-Bettor’s Verdict
While the Raiders provide the excitement and high-ceiling scores, the Defenders provide the consistency. If you are betting on a high-risk, high-reward outcome, follow the Super Raids. If you want a more grounded, data-driven bet, look at the Tackle Success Rate and Not-Out Percentage.
In the 2026 season, the most successful bettors are those who look past the highlights and study the efficiency of the men on the mat.