Pro Kabbadi League Season 12 auction to take place in Mumbai on May 31, June 1
The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 auction is all set to take place on May 31 and June 1 in Mumbai, the organisers of the the competition confirmed on Friday, May 16. The season 12 comes on the back of a successful 2024 campaign which saw the Haryana Steelers become champions for the first time after beating Patna Pirates in the final. advertisementThe league, which began in 2014, will enter its 11th season and PKL has already seen 8 different champions. As PKL enters its second decade, the league has been solidified as one of the most-watched and premier sporting leagues, enabling sustained growth and interest in the sport.Speaking on the upcoming auction, Mr. Anupam Goswami, Business Head of Mashal and League Chairman of Pro Kabaddi League said the event will be a launch pad for the teams to demonstrate their strategy, determination and ambition to become top performers for the new campaign.
Mr. Goswami also feels that the auction shows the wealth of global talent in Kabaddi and they're looking forward to see how teams tap into the rich talent pool to build the squads for the new season. advertisement'We are happy to announce the dates for the PKL Season 12 Player Auction. The PKL Player Auction is the launch-pad for our teams to demonstrate their strategy, determination, and ambition to become high-performers for the upcoming Season. It also serves as a platform to showcase the wealth of global talent for India's indigenous sport. We look forward to seeing how teams tap into our rich talent pool to build their squads at the upcoming PKL Season 12 Player Auction,' said Mr. Goswami in the statement. The 2024 auction was a record-breaking event with a total of eight players crossing the one-crore mark. Sachin Tanwar, who was bought by the Tamil Thalaivas for Rs. 2.15 Crore, was the most expensive player last year in the auction.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
9 hours ago
- India Gazette
Haryana Steelers assemble formidable squad at PKL 12 auctions as they aim to defend the elusive title
New Delhi [India], June 3 (ANI): The Haryana Steelers, the reigning champions of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), have reinforced their title defense ambitions by assembling a powerful and well-balanced squad during the PKL Season 12 player auctions held in Mumbai on May 31 and June 1. Under the leadership of Captain Jaideep Dahiya and the strategic acumen of Head Coach Manpreet Singh, the Steelers have combined youth, international flair, and seasoned expertise to build a team primed for success, according to a release from Haryana Steelers. The highlight of the Steelers' auction campaign was the acquisition of star raider Naveen Kumar for a whopping Rs 1.2 crore. Naveen, one of the most consistent and dynamic performers in PKL history, made a name for himself with Dabang Delhi, where he played a pivotal role in their maiden title win in 2022 and earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award that season. Naveen's career stats underline his stature in the league - with 1,102 raid points, 16 super raids, 66 Super 10s, and a phenomenal 82.13% not-out rate, his presence will significantly bolster the Steelers' offensive arsenal. His defensive contributions (49 tackles, 18 tackle points, 33% success rate) add a versatile edge to his game, making him one of the league's most complete players. In addition to Naveen, the Steelers also shored up their defense with the Rs 30 lakh signing of promising left-corner defender Rahul Ahri, further fortifying a unit that already includes defensive stalwarts Rahul Sethpal and captain Jaideep Dahiya. The franchise retained 10 key players ahead of the auction, demonstrating faith in their championship-winning core, while also bringing in 10 new faces to refresh and strengthen the squad. Retained Players: Rahul Sethpal, Vinay Tevathia, Shivam Patare, Jaideep Dahiya, Jayasoorya NS, Vishal Tate, Sahil, N Manikandan, Vikas Ramadas Jadhav, and Ankit Dhull. New Buys: Naveen Kumar (Rs 1.2 crore), Rahul Ahri (Rs 30 lakh), Shahan Sha Mohammed (Rs 13 lakh), Ghanshyam Roka Magar (Rs 13 lakh), Ashish (Rs 15 lakh), Hardeep Kandola (FBM - Rs 13 lakh), Ritik Gurjar (Rs 9 lakh), Zubair Malik (Rs 9 lakh), Sachin Dahiya (Rs 9 lakh), and Mayank Saini (Rs 13 lakh). Speaking on the auctions and the squad, Haryana Steelers' head coach Manpreet Singh said, 'The auctions went well for us, and I'm happy to say we were able to achieve around 85% of what we had planned going in. We have brought in some exciting new faces, and there's a healthy mix of youth and experience, especially in our defensive unit. The team's attack is strong, and our focus now will be on building strong coordination within the team to ensure our defence remains rock-solid throughout the season. I'm confident that with the group we have assembled, we will be able to give our best--just like last season--and fight hard to retain the title,' as quoted from a release by Haryana Steelers. Meanwhile, Haryana Steelers' CEO Divyanshu Singh also shared his thoughts on the auction and stated, 'Our priority going into the PKL Season 12 auction was to retain the core squad that played a crucial role in helping us lift our maiden PKL trophy last season. We are very pleased with how things turned out. It was a moment of joy for us to bring in a stellar player like Naveen Kumar--he's been one of the most valuable and consistent performers in the league, and his presence will significantly boost our raiding unit.' 'We also managed to strengthen our defensive corners by signing promising young talent Rahul Ahri, who has shown great potential, and bringing back Hardeep, which gives us added depth and continuity. Reacquiring Ashish, who was part of our 2023 squad, was another key move--we know what he brings as a versatile all-rounder. Overall, we're confident that we've built a strong, balanced squad. The focus now is not just on defending our title, but also on building a legacy for the Haryana Steelers,' he concluded. Complete squad of Haryana Steelers for PKL 2025Raiders (9): Naveen Kumar, Shivam Patare, Vinay Tevathia, Shahan Sha Mohammed, Ghanshyam Roka Magar, Mayank Saini, Jayasoorya NS, Vishal Tate, Vikas Jadhav Defenders (9): Jaideep Dahiya, Rahul Sethpal, Rahul Ahri, Ritik Gurjar, Zubair Malik, Hardeep Kandola, Ankit Dhull, Sachin Dahiya, N Manikandan All-rounders (2): Ashish Narwal, Sahil Narwal. (ANI)
India Today
19 hours ago
- India Today
Legendary Pardeep Narwal retires after going unsold in Pro Kabaddi League auction
In an emotional revelation during a live interview, kabaddi legend Pardeep Narwal confirmed his retirement from professional play after going unsold in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2025 28-year-old, a three-time PKL champion and widely regarded as one of the greatest raiders in the league's history, was overlooked by all franchises during the two-day auction. Despite expectations that he would be picked on Day 2, especially by former teams like UP Yoddhas, Patna Pirates, or Bengaluru Bulls, no bids were on an Instagram Live session, Narwal said he wasn't initially upset but had expected at least one team to show interest. 'Honestly, I didn't feel much at that moment. I was like, 'Okay, maybe someone will definitely bid,'' he said. Narwal acknowledged that recent seasons had not lived up to his own high standards. 'When I played for Patna earlier, I used to score 200–300 points. Now even 111 or 122 doesn't feel enough. I want to score 15–16 points per match, not just 3–4,' he man known as the 'Dubki King' admitted that opposition defenders have now adapted to his signature move, and age has played a role in slowing him down. 'Defenders prepare specially for me. Everyone watches videos, and yes, skills decline a little with time,' he he still managed over 100 points last season for Bengaluru Bulls, Narwal has decided to step away from the playing mat — not with regret, but with gratitude. 'Kabaddi has given me everything. My family told me, 'You've got your name, your achievements — just be happy,'' he also confirmed that his focus now shifts to coaching. 'I'll stay connected to kabaddi. I'm interested in coaching — I already train kids in my village,' he said, firmly stating that fans should accept this as his retirement as a in PKL Season 2 with Bengaluru Bulls, Narwal became a household name with Patna Pirates, where he led the team to three consecutive titles and became the league's first player to surpass 1,000 raid points. His aggressive raiding style, combined with his iconic dubki move, redefined kabaddi for a generation of 1,801 raid points across 190 matches, Pardeep Narwal leaves behind a legacy few can match — not just in numbers, but in the curtain has fallen on his playing career, the next chapter for Pardeep Narwal — perhaps as a coach or mentor — is just beginning.
Hans India
a day ago
- Hans India
UP Yoddhas assemble well-rounded squad for Pro Kabaddi League 12
UP Yoddhas celebrated a successful Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 12 Auction over the weekend in Mumbai, making key signings including Guman Singh, Mahender Singh and Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi among others. With 12 retentions and one New Young Player (NYP) in the build-up to the auction, the semi-finalists from the last PKL season look to build on their performances with these key additions. Mumbai, June 2 (IANS) UP Yoddhas celebrated a successful Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 12 Auction over the weekend in Mumbai, making key signings including Guman Singh, Mahender Singh and Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi among others. With 12 retentions and one New Young Player (NYP) in the build-up to the auction, the semi-finalists from the last PKL season look to build on their performances with these key additions. On the first day of the auction, UP Yoddhas signed Guman Singh for Rs 1.07 crore while also strengthening on the defensive end with the addition of Mahender Singh for Rs 20 lakh through a Final Bid Match (FBM). On day two, UP Yoddhas utilised their FBM for Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi, acquiring his services for another season for Rs 20 lakh. The defender from Iran has registered 28 points (24 Tackle Points) in 23 PKL matches and will add some solidity to the defensive unit. Apart from these key signings, UP Yoddhas also made strategic additions to the squad, including Korean raider Dong Geon Lee (Rs 13.50 lakh), Ronak (Rs 9 lakh) and Pranay Vinay Rane (Rs 13 lakh). These new additions will be lining up alongside the retained players including Sumit, Bhavani Rajput, Sahul Kumar, Surender Gill and Ashu Singh, who were retained in the Elite Retained Players (ERP) list. Meanwhile, Hitesh, Gagana Gowda HR and Shivam Chaudhary were a part of the Retained Young Players (RYP) list, alongside Jayesh Vikas Mahajan, Gangaram, Sachin and Keshav Kumar, who were retained in the Existing New Young Players (NYP) list. Sharing his thoughts after a successful auction, Jasveer Singh, head coach, UP Yoddhas, shared, "Our strategy going into the auction was clear. We wanted to retain our core and bring in players who complement our existing squad's philosophy. Guman brings a fresh attacking dimension to our raiding unit, while the addition of Mahender, Mohammadreza and Dong Geon Lee will add great value and versatility to our team. With the mix of retained players and new additions, we're confident in our squad's potential to go a step further this season.' Reflecting on the team's composition for the upcoming season of Pro Kabaddi League, Satyam Trivedi, CEO of GMR Sports said, 'We are extremely pleased with how the PKL12 auction played out for us. Our aim was to continue building on the momentum from last season, and we believe we've achieved that. Having retained our core squad, it was important for us acquire players who complement the group of players we have in our team. With signings like Guman Singh and retaining Mahender Singh, we've strengthened across key areas, and we look forward to a competitive season ahead." UP Yoddhas Squad for PKL 12: Guman Singh, Mohammadreza Kaboudrahangi, Mahender Singh, Dong Geon Lee, Sumit, Ashu Singh, Bhavani Rajput, Sahul Kumar, Surender Gill, Hitesh, Gagana Gowda HR, Shivam Chaudhary, Jayesh Vikas Mahajan, Gangaram, Sachin, Keshav Kumar, Jatin, Ronak, Pranay Vinay Rane.
