PKL Season 11 saw the highest-ever expenditure in the Player Auction as its 12 franchises spent more than Rs 30 crore in the two-day event that ended on Friday. For the first time ever, eight players crossed the Rs 1 crore barrier in the PKL auction. Sachin emerged as the highest-paid player with an amount of INR 2.15 crore, courtesy of Tamil Thalaivas. Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh topped the list as the most expensive foreign player, which went to Haryana Steelers for INR 2.07 crore, while Sunil Kumar was bought by U Mumba at a record INR 1.015 crore for the highest-paid Indian defender.
Ajith V. Kumar created a new benchmark in Category C, going for INR 66 lakh to Puneri Paltan as Bengaluru Bulls signed Jai Bhagwan up for INR 63 lakh. In Category D, Arjun Rathi turned out to be the most expensive player and was picked up by Bengal Warriors for INR 41 lakhs. Further on the roster of Category D signings were Mohd. Amaan joining Puneri Paltan for INR 16.2 lakhs and U Mumba signing Stuwart Singh onto their roster for INR 14.2 lakhs.
Anupam Goswami, Head Sports Leagues, Mashal Sports, and League Commissioner, Pro Kabaddi League, expressed satisfaction at the outcome of the auction on Friday. "I would like to thank all the PKL stakeholders for yet another exceptional PKL Player Auction," he said. After the record eight players to cross the 1 crore mark on Day 1, it was brilliant to see Category C players like Ajith V. Kumar and Jai Bhagwan attract strong bidding of more than 60 Lakh on Day 2. I am delighted that each and every franchise has built well-balanced teams, auguring a fiercely competitive PKL Season 11.
Star raider Sachin, who was sold to Tamil Thalaivas for INR 2.15 crore, the highest bid in this year's auction, shared his excitement while saying, "I didn't expect my bid to be so high. It feels really good to join the Tamil Thalaivas. This is certainly a life-changing moment for me. The team has put faith in my abilities and I'll certainly give my best in the upcoming season."
I knew they were going to use the FBM card on me," said Pawan Sehrawat, who was retained by Telugu Titans for INR 1.725 crore. "I couldn't do the job that I was bought for in the last season, but I have got another opportunity to finish my unfinished business with the franchise. I have played under Telugu Titans' new Head Coach Krishna Kumar Hooda before, an experienced coach who knows how to bring out the best in his raiders from time to time. I had a great experience playing under him."
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