Kabaddi is a traditional contact sport that originated in ancient India and remains immensely popular throughout the Indian subcontinent. The duration of a kabaddi game varies depending on the format and level of competition, but standard professional matches typically consist of two halves, each lasting 20 minutes, with a 5-minute halftime break in between.
In international competitions and the Pro Kabaddi League, which is India\“s premier professional kabaddi tournament, each match is divided into two halves of 20 minutes each. However, the actual playing time may extend due to timeouts, injuries, and other interruptions. Each team gets two timeouts per half, each lasting 30 seconds.
For junior and youth categories, the duration is usually shorter, with halves ranging from 15 to 20 minutes depending on the age group. Women\“s kabaddi matches typically follow the same timing structure as men\“s professional matches.
The game clock stops during raids, when players are tackled, and during official reviews, which means the total elapsed time for a kabaddi match is generally longer than the 40 minutes of regulation play. This traditional Indian sport requires both physical endurance and strategic thinking throughout its duration. |
