In an exhilarating final clash between India and Iran at the Asian Games 2023, Kabaddi fans were treated to a dramatic turn of events that momentarily suspended the match. The closing moments of this thrilling face-off evolved into a tense standoff, causing confusion among referees and match officials as both teams fervently protested. This dramatic episode unfolded with less than 90 seconds left on the clock, and the scores tied at 28-28, as Indian captain Pawan Sehrawat embarked on a do-or-die raid.
The controversy ignited when Pawan Sehrawat stepped out of bounds into the lobby without making contact with any Iranian defender. This move into the lobby triggered confusion as four Iranian defenders attempted to dash him. Initially, Iran was awarded a point as Pawan went out of bounds, but the Indian team vigorously protested this decision. Subsequently, a review was conducted, involving both TV umpires and the on-court umpire, which eventually ruled in favour of India. The verdict awarded four points to India and one to Iran. Nevertheless, this ruling sparked strong reactions from the Iranian team, heightening the charged atmosphere on the court.
This unforeseen turn of events injected a significant amount of controversy and drama into an already thrilling gold medal match between these two Kabaddi teams.
Here's an explanation of the ruling:
IKF rule (Rule 28 of the IKF rulebook): If a defender or defenders who have touched the ground outside the boundary (as per rule 5) hold a raider, the raider will be declared NOT OUT. The defender or defenders who have gone out of bounds alone will be declared out.
PKL rule: If a raider steps into the lobby, then the raid concludes there, and the raider is eliminated. One point is awarded to the defending team unless one of their defenders also goes off the mat.
Subsequently, the referee found himself in a confusing problem as Iran persisted with their protests. Despite numerous reviews, the confusion persisted regarding the applicable rule. Umpires were observed running around the court, trying to decipher the situation, while players anxiously waited on the mat.
India's coach, E Bhaskaran, questioned the reason behind the referee's change of the decision following India's review, assuming the new rule was indeed being enforced. After deliberation, officials returned with a decision that favoured Iran once more. The Indian coach then instructed his players to sit on the mat in protest. The situation took a contentious turn as Pawan and the entire Indian bench confronted the referees. More officials were summoned, and the secretary-general of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India reviewed the replays, suggesting that one point should be awarded to each team. However, this decision was met with intense protests from the Indian side yet again.
In a confusing turn of events, officials seemed to revise their stance once more, awarding three points to India. This decision prompted the Iranian team to complain and stage a protest by sitting on the mat. The drama persisted until the officials ultimately ruled in India's favour, and the game resumed. Following two raids and another minute of play, India clinched their eighth gold medal in men's Kabaddi at the Asian Games 2023.