When Pawan Sehrawat powered Bengaluru Bulls to a 38‑33 victory over Gujarat Giants, the crowd at Pune erupted in disbelief.
The championship match of VIVO Pro Kabaddi 2018/19 Season 6 FinalPune took place on 14 January 2019, and the live telecast aired the following evening on Star Sports with a free stream on Disney+ Hotstar.
The win not only handed the Bulls their maiden title after 138 matches across the season, it also underscored kabaddi’s growing clout in Indian prime‑time sport.
Season Overview and the Road to the Final
Season 6 kicked off in November 2018, with matches spread across nine Indian cities. The league’s format blended a double‑round robin with knockout stages – qualifiers, eliminators and a championship final. By the time the eliminator round rolled around on 3 January 2019, U.P. Yoddha had already dispatched Dabang Delhi 45‑33, thanks largely to a 13‑raid‑point blitz by Prashanth Kumar Rai.
Meanwhile, the Bulls breezed through the qualifiers, posting a 39‑30 win over Bengal Warriors on 23 November 2018. Their defense, anchored by veteran Pardeep Narwal, consistently kept opponents under 35 points.
In the penultimate match, the Giants edged out the Warriors 44‑41, setting up a final showdown with the Bulls. The stage was set, the fans were restless, and the league’s owners were hoping for a record‑breaking viewership.
Championship Showdown: Bulls vs Giants
The final was a roller‑coaster. The Giants surged ahead to 12‑5 in the first raid, but the Bulls answered with a 10‑7 run, leaving the scoreline neck‑and‑neck at the halfway mark. With three minutes left, the scores were level at 33‑33. That’s when Pawan Sehrawat unleashed a series of high‑flying raids, adding ten crucial points.
Just when it seemed the Giants might cling on, Pardeep Narwal delivered an all‑out that yielded six points for the Bulls, pushing the tally to 38‑33. The siren sounded, the Bulls erupted, and the trophy was hoisted for the first time in franchise history.
“It feels surreal,” the Bulls’ captain said in the post‑match interview. “We fought for every raid, every tackle. This title is for everyone who believed in us.”
Key Performers and Statistics
- Pawan Sehrawat – 112 raid points in the tournament, 24 in the final.
- Pardeep Narwal – 95 tackle points, including the decisive all‑out in the final.
- Prashanth Kumar Rai – 13 raid points in the Eliminator, 86 overall.
- Siddharth Desai – leading defender with 102 tackle points.
- Gujarat Giants’ star Manpreet Choudhary – 78 raid points, 5 super raids.
The Bulls’ offense averaged 38.7 points per match, while their defense held opponents to an average of 33.2 points – the best defensive record of the season. In contrast, the Giants posted the league’s highest attacking average at 41.0 but fell short when it mattered most.
Broadcast Details and Fan Access
All 138 matches were aired on Star Sports 2 and Star Sports HD. For cord‑cutters, Disney+ Hotstar offered a free live stream, complete with in‑match statistics and a replay vault that stayed active for 30 days after each game.
The final drew an average TV rating of 4.2 TVR, while the digital platform logged 5.8 million concurrent streams – numbers that eclipsed the previous season’s finale by more than 25 percent.
“Our partnership with Star Sports and Hotstar paid off,” said the league’s media head, Anand Sharma. “The audience reached new highs, especially in tier‑2 cities where kabaddi enjoys a strong grassroots following.”
What the Win Means for Kabaddi
Beyond the trophy, the Bulls’ triumph signals a shift in the league’s competitive balance. Historically, teams like Patna Pirates and Bengal Warriors have dominated. This season proved that strategic raiding combos and disciplined defence can overturn entrenched hierarchies.
Analysts predict that the Bulls’ success will spur greater investment in talent scouting across northern India, where many undiscovered raiders still play at the village level. Moreover, the soaring TV and streaming figures have caught the eye of advertisers, hinting at deeper commercial pockets for the next season.
Looking ahead, the league has already earmarked a “1000‑match milestone” for early 2020, with plans to host a special exhibition in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. If the current growth trajectory holds, that event could become the sport’s most-watched live broadcast to date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Bulls secure their first championship?
Bengaluru Bulls combined a high‑scoring raid strategy – led by Pawan Sehrawat’s 24 points in the final – with a stingy defence anchored by Pardeep Narwal’s all‑out. Their average points per game (38.7) topped the league, and critical moments in the final swung the match in their favour.
Where can viewers watch replays of the Season 6 matches?
All matches are available for free on the Disney+ Hotstar app under the “Pro Kabaddi Replays” section. The platform keeps each game for 30 days, and highlights are posted on the official Pro Kabaddi YouTube channel.
What impact did the final’s TV ratings have on the league?
The final’s 4.2 TVR marked a 25 percent jump from the previous season, signalling stronger mainstream appeal. Advertisers responded with higher bids, and the league secured a three‑year extension with Star Sports, promising more prime‑time slots.
Who were the standout players besides the Bulls’ stars?
Gujarat Giants’ Manpreet Choudhary topped the raid chart with 78 points. Siddharth Desai (Bulls) led tackles with 102, while Dabang Delhi’s Rahul Sharma delivered three super raids in the qualifier round.
What’s next for the Pro Kabaddi League?
Season 7 is slated for late 2020, with a tentative expansion to 12 teams and new venues in the Northeast. Organisers are also testing a mid‑season “player draft” to keep talent distribution balanced.