One of the most extraordinary moments so far in the history of the league, the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 11 Player Auction, concluded in Mumbai on Thursday. There were some high-profile transactions right on the first day of the auction that not only broke past records but set the growing allure of kabaddi on a global stage.
Sachin Tanwar emerged as the costliest player on Day 1 of the auction. Tamil Thalaivas bought him for as high as Rs 2.15 crore to make him the highest-paid player in PKL Season 11. This investment shows that this time, Tamil Thalaivas means business by strengthening its squad with the best talent available to win the championship.
This was an exciting development for the international kabaddi fraternity as Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh became the most expensive foreign player in PKL history with a price tag of Rs 2.07 crore by Haryana Steelers. He has been now bought in auctions for upwards of a Rs 2 crore back-to-back, and quite deservedly so, given his brilliant form and rising stock in the league, which—for foreign players specifically—is now setting a precedent.
However, this is the auction where the maximum number of players have now entered the 1 crore club, a clear indication of the financial stakes for the league and its competitive nature, going northwards. These include top members of that elite club, such as Sachin Tanwar, Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh, Guman Singh, Pawan Sehrawat, Bharat, Maninder Singh, Ajinkya Pawar, and Sunil Kumar. The biggest of all inclusions, though, will be that of Sunil Kumar, who was signed by U Mumba for Rs 1.015 crore to become the costliest Indian defender in league history.
The day’s proceedings also witnessed the calculated usage of Final Bid Match cards by some teams. Examples are in judicious strategic working that teams are indulging in to hold on to the superstar players in such rugged competition. Bengal Warriorz, Telugu Titans, and Gujarat Giants played their FBM cards to retain Maninder Singh, Pawan Sehrawat, and Sombir, respectively.
Among many more notable buys, the player who has scored the most points in raider history of the PKL, Pardeep Narwal, was included in the Bengaluru Bulls lineup for a price of Rs 70 lakh. He was excited to reunite with the Bengaluru bulls—the first team to take the ground in PKL—said Narwal. He expressed his excitement to play with young players and his goal of crossing 1800 raid points in his career.
This was another surprising move as Surjeet Singh was sold to Jaipur Pink Panthers for a whopping Rs 60 lakh. The addition of Singh in the camp of the latter would surely evolve Jaipur Pink Panthers’ lineup into a stronger defense, which will add much more fuel to the already burning competition distances envisaged in the league.
The Leauge Commissioner of Pro Kabaddi League, Anupam Goswami, said “truly historic” auction today. “Absolutely riveting to see multiple records tumble during the PKL Season 11 Player Auction. We are filled with pride as eight players crossed the 1 crore mark today; the achievement of Sunil Kumar in becoming the most expensive Indian defender ever is a big milestone. The excitement will surely continue on Day 2, and we all wait with bated breath for the action to unfold.”
Bengal Warriorz kept back Maninder Singh for Rs 1.15 crore, and he said he was excited about making the side. He said he was not going to let the amount trap him, as he could easily be able to contribute toward team success. This is the bonding with Bengal Warriors which after six years of playing together was almost making them a second family to him.
The stage is also set for more big-ticket deals and some tactical moves within the kabaddi fraternity as the auction rolls into its second day. The on-going excitement and record-breaking transactions are testimony to the growing stature of the league and the increasing investment in the sport.
ANI