Sports

PKL Season 12: Record-Breaking Shadloui Shines At Player Auction; Bags Over INR 2 Crore Bid

Mohammadreza Shadloui created history in the PKL 12 Player Auction on Saturday, becoming the first pick of the day as Gujarat Giants secured the Season 11 Most Valuable Player for INR 2.23 crore.

Shadloui became the first player to cross the INR 2 crore mark three times in Pro Kabaddi League history.

Devank Dalal also secured a record deal. The Best Raider of PKL 11 joined Bengal Warriorz for INR 2.205 crore. He had led Patna Pirates to the final in the previous season.

Devank is now the fifth most expensive player in PKL auction history.

FBM Rule Brings Big Returns

The new Final Bid Match (FBM) rule had a major impact this season. It allows teams to buy back released players by matching the final auction price for one or two seasons.

Dabang Delhi KC used the rule to retain star raider Ashu Malik for INR 1.90 crore for two seasons. Patna Pirates also applied the FBM rule to bring back Deepak Rajender Singh for INR 86 lakh.

Other Big Bids In Category A

Tamil Thalaivas signed Arjun Deshwal for INR 1.405 crore. Bengaluru Bulls bought Yogesh Dahiya for INR 1.125 crore.

Telugu Titans added Bharat Hooda (INR 81 lakh), Shubham Shinde (INR 80 lakh), and Vijay Malik (INR 51.5 lakh via one-season FBM).

Tamil Thalaivas also picked up Pawan Sehrawat for INR 59.5 lakh. Fazel Atrachali joined Dabang Delhi K.C. for INR 30 lakh, and Ankush went to Bengaluru Bulls for the same amount.

Anupam Goswami, League Chairman of the Pro Kabaddi League, said: “The PKL 12 Player Auction for Category A shows how performance plays a key role, with Shadloui and Devank being rewarded with exceptional bids of over INR 2 crore. We also saw five crorepatis in this category, and the new two-season FBM rule is making an impact after being used by Patna Pirates and then Dabang Delhi KC.”

All Category A Buys from the PKL 12 Player Auction: