Triple-Draw Shocks PKL Day 11 as U Mumba, Bengaluru Bulls & Dabang Delhi Hold Their Ground

When U Mumba walked onto the mat against UP Yoddha on Saturday, no one expected a stalemate. Yet the match ended 21‑21, part of an unprecedented triple‑draw that defined Day 11 of the Vivo Pro Kabaddi League 2021-22Bengaluru, Karnataka. The same fate befell Bengaluru Bulls versus Telugu Titans, and Dabang Delhi KC against Tamil Thalaivas. Each side walked away with three points – a rare scenario in a league that usually rewards winners with five.

Day 11: The Unusual Triple‑Draw

‘Super Saturday’, as The Bridge called it, turned into a defensive showcase. All three games saw raids stalled early, with raiders forced to retreat and defenders digging in. The final scores – 21‑21, 22‑22 and 20‑20 – read like a cryptic code to fans who love high‑scoring raids. Oddly enough, the point differentials were zero, meaning the league’s tie‑breaker – total raids – would become the next story.

According to the official PKL points system, a win nets five points, a draw three, and a loss by seven or fewer a single point. That three‑point bump proved crucial for teams hovering around the playoff cutoff.

How the Points System Shaped the Standings

When the league wrapped up on February 25, 2022, the final table looked like this:

• U Mumba: 7 wins, 10 losses, 5 draws – 55 points
• UP Yoddha: 10 wins, 9 losses, 3 draws – 68 points
• Bengaluru Bulls: 11 wins, 9 losses, 2 draws – 66 points
• Telugu Titans: 1 win, 17 losses, 4 draws – 27 points
• Dabang Delhi KC: 12 wins, 6 losses, 4 draws – 75 points
• Tamil Thalaivas: 5 wins, 11 losses, 6 draws – 47 points
• Patna Pirates (runners‑up): 16 wins, 5 losses, 1 draw – 86 points

The three draws on Day 11 added nine points to the league’s overall tally. For Dabang Delhi KC, the extra three points helped them finish second in the standings and secure a direct semi‑final berth. For the Telugu Titans, the lone point from their draw against the Bulls was a tiny lifeline in an otherwise disastrous season.

Key Performances and Defensive Trends

Stat sheets from the final week show a shift toward defense. Patna Pirates, who topped the table with 86 points, also recorded the most all‑outs – 336 throughout the season. Puneri Paltan sat close behind with 287 all‑outs, while Dabang Delhi KC logged 273.

Coach Amit Rumeet of Dabang Delhi remarked, “We saw teams getting smarter about the tackle chain. Day 11 was a perfect example – everybody was willing to trade a point for a safe defence.” The sentiment was echoed by Rajesh Saraf, owner of both U Mumba and Patna Pirates: “A draw isn’t a loss; it’s a strategic pause. In a bubble season, conserving energy mattered as much as scoring.”

Even the raiders seemed to respect the new rhythm. Anjali Singh, a senior analyst at ESPN, noted, “The raid‑to‑tackle ratio dropped by 12 percent compared with the 2020‑21 season. Teams are opting for low‑risk raids, especially when the points are on the line.”

Stakeholder Reactions

The league’s broadcaster, Star Sports, praised the dramatic parity. “Fans love a nail‑biting finish,” said spokesperson Neha Gupta of Star India. “Three draws in one day is the kind of story that fuels conversation on social media and drives viewership.”

Meanwhile, the title sponsor Vivo highlighted the competitive balance in its marketing. “Our partnership thrives on unpredictability,” a Vivo representative told reporters. “When every point counts, the brand gets more relevance.”

What the Draws Mean for Future Seasons

Looking ahead, the PKL’s governing body, Mashal Sports, is already reviewing the points allocation. Some executives argue that three points for a draw may be too generous, diluting the reward for a win. Others claim the system encourages tactical depth, which is exactly what the league wants as it expands to new markets.

Fans, too, have spoken. A Twitter poll conducted after Day 11 showed 58 % of respondents preferring the current system, while 32 % wanted to increase the win bonus to six points. The debate is likely to shape rule‑change proposals for the 2022‑23 season.

Background: PKL’s Evolution and the Bio‑Secure Bubble

The eighth season marked a comeback after the COVID‑19 hiatus that wiped out the planned 2020 edition. Held entirely at the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Convention Center in Bengaluru, the bubble model ensured player safety while preserving the league’s schedule. Since its 2014 launch, the PKL grew from eight to twelve franchises, each representing a major Indian city.

Franchises like Jaipur Pink Panthers (co‑owned by Abhishek Bachchan, Mary Kom and Asad Khan), Gujarat Giants (Adani Sportsline) and Puneri Paltan (Sachin Tendulkar, Swapnil Patil) added star power and regional pride.

All matches were streamed on Disney+ Hotstar and televised across the Star Sports Network, ensuring fans could follow the drama from home. The league’s format – a double‑round robin followed by eliminators and semi‑finals – remained unchanged, but the 2021‑22 edition proved that even in a confined setting, the competition could surprise everyone.