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Kabbadi is a physical team sport. The goal of the game, which is played between two teams of seven players, is for a single offensive player, known as a "raider," to run into the other team's half of the court, touch out as many of their defenders as they can, and then return to their own half of the court without being tackled by the defenders and all in the space of one breath.
Each player then raider tags wins points, while the opposing team scores a point when the raider is stopped. Players are removed from the game if they are touched or tackled, but they are allowed to reenter for each goal their team scores as a result of a tag or tackle.
It is well-liked in the neighbouring Asian nations and the Indian subcontinent. Even though there are references to Kabbadi in the chronicles of ancient India, the sport only gained popularity as a spectator sport in the 20th century.
A Kabbadi team involves seven Kabbadi players in each team with an additional of three or sometimes five Kabbadi players as substitutes.
In standard style Kabbadi, the seven players are positioned as follows: right and left corners, right and left covers, with right-in and left-in positions supporting the cover defenders. Raiders occupy the center position, which is typically not filled by the defense unit.
Kabbadi is growing as a mainstream sport in India because of the introduction of the Pro Kabbadi League. Because of this league Kabbadi players have even achieved celebrity status playing this sport, a few of them are Monu Goyat, Rahul Chaudhary, Sandeep Narwal, and Rishank Devadiga.