Shadloui, Devank big buys in Pro Kabaddi League player auction

After the two-time champion Mohammadreza Shadloui joined the Gujarat Giants for a whopping Rs 2.23 crores, it was the turn of Bengal Warriorz to sign up PKL Season 11 best raider Devank Dallal for Rs 2.25 crores in the Pro Kabaddi League player auction

HYDERABAD: After the two-time champion Mohammadreza Shadloui joined the Gujarat Giants for a whopping Rs 2.23 crores, it was the turn of Bengal Warriorz to sign up PKL Season 11 best raider Devank Dallal for Rs 2.25 crores in the Pro Kabaddi League player auction in Mumbai.

Dallal is now the fifth-most expensive player in the PKL Player Auction after Shadloui’s bid.

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The new Final Bid Match (FBM) rule was also seen in action across the two days, allowing teams to buy back their released players by matching the final auction bid price, for either one or two seasons. While five players were retained for two seasons, nine players were retained for one season.

All-rounders Nitin joined Jaipur Pink Panthers for a fee of Rs 50 lakhs, while Gurdeep was signed by Puneri Paltan for Rs 47.10 lakhs and Dheeraj by Bengaluru Bulls for Rs 40.20 lakhs. However, it was raider Akash Shinde who took the top bid in this category, moving to Bengaluru Bulls for Rs 51.10 lakhs.

In what was one of the most surprising moves of the Player Auction, an exciting bidding war saw U Mumba secure the services of Aanil Mohan for an impressive Rs 78 lakhs – the highest-ever bid in Category D in PKL history. Uday Parte got the second-highest bid in Category D, with Jaipur Pink Panthers signing him for Rs 50.10 lakhs.

“It is very positive that the momentum of the PKL 12 Player Auction Day 1 has been maintained on Day 2. The teams have displayed strong interest in Categories C and D, especially through the Rs 78 lakh buy for PKL debutant Aanil Mohan, the highest ever for a Category D player in our League’s history,” Anupam Goswami, Business Head, Mashal Sports & League Commissioner, Pro Kabaddi League, said about the auction.

“Such fresh players often form the backbone of a team, and investing in their growth is the key to building competitive squads for the long term. Of course, the emergence of 10 ‘Crorepati’ players this season reflects a balanced market, where both established names and new talent are being valued appropriately. It sets the tone for another competitive season ahead,” he said.