The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 auction kicked off with thrilling excitement on its first day. A total of 26 players were bought on May 31st, with Iranian defender Mohammadreza Shadloui Chianeh grabbing the most headlines.
PKL Auction 2025: The highly anticipated auction for Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 began with a bang. The first day's auction was high-voltage, with players' fortunes changing hands with crore-rupee bids. Iranian defender Mohammadreza Shadloui Chianeh garnered the most attention, being acquired by the Gujarat Giants for a record-breaking bid of ₹2.23 crore.
Shadloui in the ₹2 Crore Club for the Third Consecutive Year
Mohammadreza Shadloui became the first player in PKL history to fetch a bid exceeding ₹2 crore for three consecutive seasons. His defensive skills, aggressive tackling, and experience led to a bidding war among several teams, but the Gujarat Giants emerged victorious. This is the fourth-highest bid in PKL history, reflecting Shadloui's brand value.
Devaank Dalal Impresses, Becomes Second Most Expensive at ₹2.205 Crore
The Bengal Warriors made a significant investment in raider Devaank Dalal to strengthen their raiding department. Dalal was bought for ₹2.205 crore, making him the second most expensive player on the first day of PKL 2025. A young but powerful raider, Dalal won several crucial matches last season.
Ashu Malik Joins Dabang Delhi for ₹1.9 Crore
Dabang Delhi retained their star raider Ashu Malik for ₹1.9 crore. Ashu was instrumental in Delhi's victories in several matches last season. His diverse raiding skills and ability to perform under pressure make him an asset to the team.
Ankit Jaglan Attracts Significant Bidding
Patna Pirates invested ₹1.573 crore in Ankit Jaglan, highlighting their confidence in his defensive and all-around skills. Ankit's speed, tackling prowess, and raiding balance make him a unique all-rounder.
Arjun Deshwal Joins Tamil Thalaivas
Arjun Deshwal, a star raider for Jaipur Pink Panthers, will now play for the Tamil Thalaivas after being bought for ₹1.405 crore. His consistency and high-scoring ability will significantly strengthen the team.
While several players received crore-rupee bids, some big names remained unsold. The most surprising omission was that of Pradeep Narwal, considered one of the most successful raiders in PKL history. Defender Sahil Gulia also remained unsold on the first day. However, their fortunes could change on the second day of the auction.
A total of 28 players were bid on during the first day, with 26 sold and 2 remaining unsold. The day largely belonged to young talent and foreign players, with franchises showing no hesitation in placing significant bids.
PKL Auction 2025: Top 5 Most Expensive Players (Day 1)
- Mohammadreza Shadloui Chianeh - ₹2.23 crore
- Devaank Dalal - ₹2.205 crore
- Ashu Malik - ₹1.9 crore
- Ankit Jaglan - ₹1.573 crore
- Arjun Deshwal - ₹1.405 crore
The second day of the auction is expected to be even more exciting. Many experienced players are still available, and franchises still have significant funds and strategic options remaining. There is a b possibility of stars like Pradeep Narwal being purchased.
