Record-Breaking PKL Season 12 Auction Sees 10 Players Breach ₹1 Crore Mark

The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 Player Auction kicked off with a historic high on Saturday as a record ten players crossed the ₹1 crore mark in bids, doubling the number of crorepatis from Season 10 and underscoring the league’s meteoric rise in stature and market value.

In a major headline moment, Iranian all-rounder and two-time PKL champion Mohammadreza Shadloui was bought by Gujarat Giants for a staggering ₹2.23 crore, becoming the first player in PKL history to command over ₹2 crore in three consecutive seasons. The opening bid set the tone for a blockbuster Day 1 of the auction.

Joining Shadloui in the elite ₹2 crore club was Devank Dalal, the Best Raider of Season 11, who was acquired by Bengal Warriorz for ₹2.205 crore — the fifth-highest price in the league’s history.

The newly introduced Final Bid Match (FBM) rule, which allows franchises to match the final bid to retain a released player, added a strategic twist to the auction. Dabang Delhi K.C. used the FBM card to re-sign star raider Ashu Malik for ₹1.90 crore on a two-season deal. Similarly, Patna Pirates retained Ankit Jaglan for ₹1.573 crore for one season using the same mechanism.

The auction saw a near-equal split of crorepatis across player categories. In Category A, five players breached the crore mark:

• Arjun Deshwal (Tamil Thalaivas) – ₹1.405 crore
• Yogesh Dahiya (Bengaluru Bulls) – ₹1.125 crore

Category B matched the intensity, with:

• Naveen Kumar (Haryana Steelers) – ₹1.20 crore
• Guman Singh (UP Yoddhas) – ₹1.073 crore
• Sachin Tanwar (Puneri Paltan) – ₹1.058 crore
• Nitin Kumar (Jaipur Pink Panthers) – ₹1.002 crore

Speaking on the landmark auction, Anupam Goswami, Business Head of Mashal Sports and League Commissioner of PKL, said:
“Day 1 of the PKL Season 12 Player Auction was a landmark moment, with a record-breaking 10 players crossing the ₹1 crore mark across Categories A and B — reflecting the continued growth in player value and the league’s evolution over the past decade.”

He also highlighted the impact of the two-season FBM rule, saying it adds a layer of continuity and strategy, as seen with two franchises opting to retain players for longer durations.

With Day 1 setting records and raising expectations, all eyes are now on Day 2, where teams will finalize their squads for what promises to be a thrilling Season 12.