Costliest buys of Pro Kabaddi Season 9: Pawan Sehrawat breaches two crore mark

The Pro Kabaddi Season 9 auction saw prices for talents skyrocket as four players earned bids in excess of one crore.

While Pardeep Narwal was re-signed by UP Yoddhas for INR 90 lakh after the franchise used their Final Bid Match (FBM) card, Pawan Sehrawat’s INR 2.26 crore bid by Tamil Thalaivas broke the all-time PKL record.

Iranian legend Fazel Atrachali also made the news as he became the most expensive defender and overseas player in Pro Kabaddi, at INR 1.38 crore after breaking his own previous record.

Here, we take a look at Pro Kabaddi’s costliest players from the Season 9 auction. 

Pawan Sehrawat - INR 2.26 crore

Pawan Sehrawat’s INR 2.26 crore bid by Tamil Thalaivas made him the all-time most expensive player in Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) history. Haryana Steelers and U Mumba were also interested in snapping the former Bengaluru Bulls star, but the Thalaivas fought to the end to sign one of the leading raiders in PKL history.

As far as numbers go, Sehrawat joins his latest team with a career record of 986 raid points, 49 Super 10s and 29 Super Raids in 104 matches.

Vikash Kandola - INR 1.70 crore

Having let go of the influential Pawan Sehrawat, Bengaluru Bulls will aim to fill that sizable void in their attack with Vikash Kandola.

The Bulls paid INR 1.70 crore to sign him for PKL Season 9, and he arrives at Bengaluru after four seasons with Haryana Steelers. Kandola averages 7.75 raid points per game and as one of the strong raiders in the competition, he will look to propel the Bulls to victory this term.

Fazel Atracheli - INR 1.38 crore

Former U Mumba captain Fazel Atracheli was the first player to breach the one-crore mark at the Pro Kabaddi Season 9 auction.

The Iranian star defender was subject of an intense bidding war between Telugu Titans and Dabang Delhi K.C., but in the end, Puneri Paltan swooped in and got his signature for INR 1.38 crore.

Known for his ability to hold down attackers on the mat, Fazel will start PKL season 9 as the most expensive defender and the costliest overseas talent in Pro Kabaddi history.

Guman Singh - INR 1.21 crore

Guman Singh was a surprise name among the players who fetched bids in excess of one crore at the PKL Season 9 auction.

Last turning out for Patna Pirates in Season 8, Guman is a raider who impressed onlookers with 97 points from 19 games. This included 95 raid points and four Super 10s.

With Pro Kabaddi Season 9 set to be his third campaign, all eyes will be fixed on Guman Singh as he will be one of the players to watch, especially with his hefty price in mind. 

Pardeep Narwal - INR 90 lakh

For someone who was the most expensive player at PKL Season 8 auction, eyebrows were raised when Pardeep Narwal was announced as part of the released players' list for the Pro Kabaddi Season 9 auction.

The ‘Dubki King’ was, however, re-signed by UP Yoddhas after they used their Final Bid Match (FBM) card to sign him for INR 90 lakh.

Pardeep Narwal is the only player in PKL to score over 1000 raid points and he will hope to guide UP Yoddhas further in 2022 than he managed last time around.

Pro Kabaddi’s costliest players in Season 9 (top 10)

Author: William Paul

Featured photo: Pro Kabaddi