The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has come a long way since its inception in 2014. From a humble beginning with just eight teams, the league has now expanded to 12 teams and has become one of the most successful sporting events in India. The recent PKL auction for the 2024 season has once again proved the popularity and success of this league, with the highest price of Rs. 12 lakh in the past being surpassed by a whopping Rs. 2 crore. This is a clear indication of how far the league has come and how much it has grown in terms of popularity and financial success.
The PKL auction for the 2024 season was held in Mumbai on 25th October 2023 and it was a grand affair. The auction saw a total of 422 players being sold to the 12 teams, with a total of Rs. 50.5 crore being spent. The highest bid of Rs. 2 crore was made for a player, which is a huge jump from the previous highest bid of Rs. 12 lakh. This is a clear reflection of the growth and success of the PKL, which has now become a highly lucrative platform for players to showcase their skills and earn big paychecks.
So, who was the lucky player who received the big paycheck this time? It was none other than the star raider, Siddharth Desai. The 25-year-old from Maharashtra was bought by the Patna Pirates for a whopping Rs. 2 crore, making him the most expensive player in the PKL auction 2024. This is a huge achievement for Desai, who has been making waves in the kabaddi world with his exceptional raiding skills. He was the top raider in the previous season, scoring a total of 233 raid points in 24 matches. His performance caught the attention of many teams and it was no surprise that he received such a high bid.
The Patna Pirates, who have won the PKL title three times, were determined to get Desai in their team and they went all out in the auction to secure his services. The team’s owner, Rajesh V. Shah, expressed his excitement over the acquisition of Desai and said, “We are thrilled to have Siddharth Desai in our team. He is a talented player and we believe he will be a great asset to our team. We are looking forward to seeing him in action in the upcoming season.”
Apart from Desai, there were many other players who received big paychecks in the auction. Another star raider, Pawan Sehrawat, was bought by the Bengal Warriors for Rs. 1.8 crore, making him the second most expensive player in the auction. The third most expensive player was the all-rounder, Deepak Niwas Hooda, who was bought by the Jaipur Pink Panthers for Rs. 1.6 crore. These big bids for top players show the level of competition and the value that teams place on talented players in the PKL.
The PKL has not only become a platform for players to showcase their skills and earn big paychecks, but it has also become a source of inspiration for many young kabaddi players in the country. The league has given a new lease of life to the traditional Indian sport of kabaddi and has made it a popular and lucrative career option for many. The success of the PKL has also led to the growth of kabaddi at the grassroots level, with many schools and colleges now including kabaddi in their sports curriculum.
The success of the PKL can also be attributed to the efforts of the organizers and the support of the fans. The league has been able to attract a huge fan base, with packed stadiums and millions of viewers tuning in to watch the matches. The organizers have also been successful in promoting the league and its players, making them household names and creating a sense of excitement and anticipation for each season.
In conclusion, the PKL auction for the 2024 season has once again shown the immense growth and success of the league. The highest bid of Rs. 2 crore for Siddharth Desai is a testament to the popularity and financial success of the league. With the league constantly evolving and attracting top players, we can only expect it to get bigger and better in the coming years. The PKL has truly become a game-changer for kab