PKL spells big bucks

Mumbai: The 2018 edition of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) auctions turned out be a landmark event, witnessing the making and breaking of records with five Indians and one foreign player entering the Rs one crore club.

Wednesday, the first day of the two-day auction, had seen Iran star Fazal Atrachali create history by becoming the first to command a price of Rs 1 crore before raider Monu Goyat became the most expensive player when Haryana Steelers secured his services for a whopping Rs 1.51 crore.

Thursday's proceeding's were more sedate in comparison. Prashant Kumar Rai was the hot pick of the day as UP Yoddhas bagged the raider for Rs 79 lakh.

Another raider Chandran Ranjit also sparked off a bidding war between different franchises before Dabang Delhi bagged the 26-year-old for Rs 61.25 lakh.

The third costliest buy of the day was Pawan Kumar, the raider who had earlier played for U Mumba.The 23-year-old was snapped up by Bengaluru Bulls for Rs 52.8 lakh.

U Mumba secured the defender after spending Rs 46 lakh.

Later, Delhi were successful in bringing Vishal Mane to their squad after spending Rs 45 lakh. Making their defence stronger, Delhi also picked up Joginder Narwal for Rs 33 lakh.
Ajay Kumar and Tushar Patil, who were both bid for identical sums of Rs 25 lakh, were bagged by Gujarat Fotunegiants and Patna Pirates respectively.

However, there was disappointment in store for former India captain Rakesh Kumar as none of the franchises appeared to be interested in him.

In the final moments of the first day auctions, UP Yoddhas spent Rs 1.11 crore to retain Rishank Devadiga. 

Delhi tried their best to sign star raider Rahul Chaudhary after making a Rs 1.29 crore bid, but the Telugu Titans exercised the Final Bid Match (FBM) at the right time to retain the 24-year-old.

Patna Pirates paid Rs 21 lakh for all-rounder Kuldeep Singh while Pink Panthers once again spent Rs 58 lakh for Mohit Chillar. Surinder Nada, meanwhile, also emerged as one of the most expensive players as Haryana Steelers had to spend Rs 75 lakh for keeping the all-rounder in their squad.

Atrachali's compatriot Abozar Mohajermighani, who was the first foreign player to be auctioned, was snapped up by Telugu Titans for Rs 76 lakh as the Fortunegiants once again refused to exercise their FBM option.