The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2024 player auction, held on August 15 and 16, 2024, in Mumbai, saw an exciting lineup of transactions with a total of 118 players sold for a combined sum of INR 33.7 crore.
With teams battling to secure top talent, the auction set new benchmarks, with Sachin Tanwar becoming the highest-paid player of PKL 2024 at INR 2.15 crore, acquired by Tamil Thalaivas. Let’s take a detailed look at the key highlights of the auction and the full list of sold players.
Key Highlights of PKL 2024 Auction
1. Sachin Tanwar Becomes Most Expensive Player
The spotlight of the auction was undoubtedly on Sachin Tanwar, who fetched the highest bid of INR 2.15 crore. The Tamil Thalaivas placed their bets on the raider, making him the most expensive player in the history of the Pro Kabaddi League. Sachin has consistently proven his skills on the mat, and the Thalaivas hope he will be a game-changer for their team.
2. Iranian Sensation Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh
Iranian all-rounder Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh was another major name at the auction, commanding a price of INR 2.07 crore. The Haryana Steelers acquired the star player, who has made a significant impact with his all-around performances, especially in defense.
3. Pawan Sehrawat Retained by Telugu Titans
In one of the most anticipated moments of the auction, Telugu Titans used their Final Bid Match (FBM) card to retain Pawan Sehrawat, the captain of the Indian kabaddi team. Pawan was retained for INR 1.725 crore, adding power and experience to the Titans’ squad for the upcoming season.
4. Eight Players Cross the INR 1 Crore Mark
A total of eight players crossed the INR 1 crore mark during the auction, a testament to the rising value of kabaddi players and the league’s growing stature. Teams aggressively bid for top-tier talent to strengthen their squads.
Full List of Sold Players at PKL 2024 Auction
Here is the complete list of players sold during the PKL 2024 auction, along with their respective teams and salaries:
| Player | Team | Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tanwar | Tamil Thalaivas | 2.15 crore |
| Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh | Haryana Steelers | 2.07 crore |
| Guman Singh | Gujarat Giants | 1.97 crore |
| Pawan Sehrawat(FBM) | Telugu Titans | 1.725 crore |
| Bharat | UP Yoddhas | 1.30 crore |
| Maninder Singh(FBM) | Bengal Warriors | 1.15 crore |
| Ajinkya Ashok Pawar | Bengaluru Bulls | 1.107 crore |
| Sunil Kumar | U Mumba | 1.015 crore |
| Manjeet | U Mumba | 80 Lakh |
| Pardeep Narwal | Bengaluru Bulls | 70 Lakh |
| Krishan Dhull | Telugu Titans | 70 Lakh |
| Shubham Shinde | Patna Pirates | 70 Lakh |
| Ajith V Kumar | Puneri Paltan | 66 Lakh |
| Jai Bhagwan | Bengaluru Bulls | 63 Lakh |
| Surjeet Singh | Jaipur Pink Panthers | 60 Lakh |
| Gurdeep | Patna Pirates | 59 Lakh |
| Fazel Atrachali | Bengal Warriors | 50 Lakh |
| Deepak Rajender Singh | Patna Pirates | 50 Lakh |
| Bhavani Rajput | UP Yoddhas | 45 Lakh |
| Arjun Rathi | Bengal Warriors | 41 Lakh |
| Neeraj Kumar | Gujarat Giants | 35 Lakh |
| Vikash Khandola | Jaipur Pink Panthers | 32 Lakh |
| Mayur Jagannath Kadam | Bengal Warriors | 30.2 Lakh |
| Sahul Kumar | UP Yoddhas | 30 Lakh |
| Siddharth Sirish Desai | Dabang Delhi | 26 Lakh |
| Ashish | Dabang Delhi | 23.5 Lakh |
| Manjeet | Telugu Titans | 27 Lakh |
| Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi | UP Yoddhas | 25 Lakh |
| Meetu Sharma | Patna Pirates | 21.9 Lakh |
| Mahender Singh | UP Yoddhas | 21.4 Lakh |
| Nitin Rawal | Bengaluru Bulls | 20.1 Lakh |
| Devank | Patna Pirates | 20.1 Lakh |
This auction saw a significant influx of international talent, particularly from Iran, as several Iranian players secured big contracts, reflecting their growing importance in the league.
Also Read: Pro Kabaddi 2024 Start Date: Schedule & where to watch Live?
Strategic Buys and Final Bid Match (FBM) Cards
Teams used the Final Bid Match (FBM) card strategically to retain their marquee players. For example, Bengal Warriors retained Maninder Singh, a key raider, for INR 1.15 crore, while Tamil Thalaivas used their FBM card to keep Amirhossein Bastami for INR 0.151 crore.
International Talent Shines
The auction witnessed strong bids for international players. Besides Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh, other foreign players like Fazel Atrachali and Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh also garnered significant bids, demonstrating the increasing reliance on foreign talent in the league.
PKL 2024 Auction in Numbers:
- Total Players Sold: 118
- Total Auction Value: INR 33.7 crore
- Players Crossing INR 1 Crore: 8
- Most Expensive Player: Sachin Tanwar (INR 2.15 crore, Tamil Thalaivas)
- Top International Player: Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh (INR 2.07 crore, Haryana Steelers)
PKL 2024 Season: What’s Next?
With the auction done and dusted, all eyes are now on the PKL 2024 season, which will commence on October 18, 2024, with a blockbuster opening match between Telugu Titans and Bengaluru Bulls. Fans can catch all the live action on Star Sports Network and stream it on Disney+ Hotstar.
The excitement around the auction, combined with the start of the new season, has set the stage for what promises to be another thrilling edition of the Pro Kabaddi League. Will the new recruits justify their price tags? Only time will tell, as the teams gear up for the ultimate kabaddi showdown.