The atmosphere is already spiraling with high expectations for season eleven of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) as the auction for Pro Kabaddi 2024, which people have been anticipating, was launched in Mumbai on Thursday 15th August and continued on Friday 16th August.
It is not just a precursor to the season but rather an event in its own right where more than 500 players in total went under the hammer including some of the top players from past seasons and many young talents. To establish their team's identity next year when league resumes its caravan format in October, groups are actively assembling their squads.
A Platform for Kabaddi Stars and Rising Talents
Along with the likes of Pawan Sehrawat, Fazel Atrachali and Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh, who have made their mark in kabaddi, there were also 24 other promising players from the Khelo India University Games 2024 finalists. It was a combination of experienced stars mingling with fresh blood that made it all the more interesting for teams bidding for both established champions and future superstars.
Teams Gear Up for the Battle of Bids
Even though most franchises had already secured crucial players ahead of the auction, there remained 212 slots to be filled. This created an arena for intense bidding wars where all 12 teams were engaged in a strategic battle to build the strongest possible squads. Players were classified into four categories A, B, C, and D which further comprised ‘All-Rounders’, ‘Defenders’ and ‘Raiders’. The base prices for these groups stood at INR 30 Lakh for Category A, INR 20 Lakh for Category B, INR 13 Lakh for Category C, and INR 9 Lakh for Category D.
The prospect of a few players breaking the INR 1 Crore, or even the INR 2 Crore mark, added an extra layer of excitement to the proceedings.
Day 1: High-Stakes Bidding and Record-Breaking Deals
The first day of the auction saw some of the biggest names in kabaddi being picked up by teams eager to bolster their lineups. Let's take a closer look at the top five most expensive buys on Day 1:
Sachin Tanwar (Tamil Thalaivas) - INR 2.15 Crore
Thus, the auction star was Sachin Tanwar who fetched record INR 2.15 Crores. Tamil Thalaivas were successful in securing the do-or-die raid keener for he had displayed consistency in performance with respect to 544 points over the last three PKL seasons. Thus, with this addition of Sachin and Narender, Tamil Thalaivas can be said be having one of the best raiding Machinery in the League.
Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh (Haryana Steelers) - INR 2.07 Crore
Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh, an Iranian giant, was captured by Haryana Steelers for INR 2.07 Crore. Chiyaneh is noted for his remarkable defensive skills; hence, he bolsters the Steelers’ defense. The now retired PKL player started his career with Patna Pirates, where he achieved great fame as a tackler.
Guman Singh (Gujarat Giants) - INR 1.97 Crore
With a sum of INR 1.97 Crore, Gujarat Giants have made their mark in the field by signing Guman Singh. For the last two seasons, the previous U Mumba star raider has been among top players, rendering him an asset to the Giants in their quest to assemble a winning combination.
Pawan Sehrawat (Telugu Titans) - INR 1.725 Crore
Telugu Titans kept Pawan Sehrawat in the team through the Final Bid Match (FBM) option paying INR 1.725 Crore because of his ability to raid with great effect. In spite of the difficult season he had last year, Sehrawat is still considered as an important player by Titans who believe that he will help them change their destiny.
Bharat (UP Yoddhas) - INR 1.30 Crore
Recent seasons have seen Bharat emerge as an outstanding raider for the Bengaluru Bulls. UP Yoddhas therefore acquired him for INR 1.30 Crore. The UP Yoddhas now have a formidable raiding combination with Bharat joining the retained player Surender Gill that numerous teams will find hard to deal with.
A Glimpse into Day 2: More Action Awaits
On Day 2 of the Pro Kabaddi 2024 Auction, fans should expect even more intense bidding and possibly record-breaking transactions. The contest for talent is far from over as there are still a number of slots to be filled. Teams are carefully assessing their options while managing their finances and devising plans that would help them assemble a team capable of winning the PKL Season 11 championship.
