Most tackle points in a single PKL match: Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh heads the list

The evening of November 19, 2022, will be remembered for a long time in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) history for an astonishing feat.

In an encounter which proved to be a nightmare for the Dabang Delhi raiders, Patna Pirates’ Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh scored an astonishing 16 tackle points, to set the record for the most tackle points in a single PKL match. 

Interestingly, Chiyaneh’s haul of 16 tackle points came entirely from Super Tackles. It’s also the record for the most Super Tackles in a single PKL match.

When a defending team is reduced to three or fewer players, executing a successful tackle earns the defender an extra point, hence a total of two points are awarded for a single tackle instead of one. Such two-point tackles are known as ‘Super Tackles’.

The Iranian managed to churn out eight of them under pressure, which speaks volumes about his performance in the contest. However, Chiyaneh’s lone resistance couldn’t take his team over the line as Dabang Delhi emerged victorious. 

The record for the most tackle points in a single PKL match, nonetheless, changed hands. It was previously held jointly by Puneri Paltan’s Manjeet Chillar and another Patna Pirates player, Neeraj Kumar. Both had scored 11.

Manjeet Chillar scored 11 against his former team Bengaluru Bulls in a league phase clash during season 4. Chillar, who also features among the players with the most tackle points in PKL’s history, attempted 12 tackles in the match. None of these 11 tackle points, though, came in from super tackles.

Neeraj Kumar, meanwhile, marked his entry in the list during PKL season 7.

Playing against Puneri Paltan, Neeraj Kumar, one of the Pirates’ most expensive recruits that season, scored 11 tackle points in 2019. He would go on to finish as the franchise's top defender that campaign with 59 tackle points in 22 games.

U Mumba legend Surender Nada, one of the most decorated defenders in the tournament’s history, had custody of the record for most tackle points in a single PKL match before Manjeet Chillar knocked him off the perch in season 4.

In the season 2 semi-final clash against Patna Pirates, Surender Nada bagged 10 tackle points, including one Super Tackle, from 11 attempts to help U Mumba seal a spot in the final, where they eventually defeated Bengaluru Bulls to bag their maiden title.

Former Telugu Titans’ defender Sombir Gulia and Bengaluru Bulls man Mahender Singh also scored 10 tackle points each in a single match. Both managed the feat during season 5.

Only these six players have scored double-figure tackle points in a single PKL match in the tournament’s history.

Most tackle points in a single PKL match

Featured photo: AFP