Mumbai, May 31, 2025: Mohammadreza Shadloui created history at the outset after the Season 11’s Most Valuable Player was snapped up for INR 2.23 crores in the very first bid of the evening by Gujarat Giants. The two-time PKL champion is the first player to go for more than INR 2 crores three times in PKL history.
Another top player to cross the INR 2-crore mark was Devank Dalal, who was the Best Raider in PKL 11. Having led the line for the Patna Pirates as they reached the final in the previous campaign, Devank was eventually signed by Bengal Warriorz for INR 2.205 crores, making him the fifth-most expensive player in the PKL Player Auction.
A highlight of the PKL 12 Player Auction is the new Final Bid Match (FBM) rule that allows teams to buy back their released players by matching the final auction bid price, for either one or two seasons. This FBM rule was used by Dabang Delhi K.C. to bring their star raider Ashu Malik back to the team for INR 1.90 crores for the next two seasons.
The other top bids from Category A included Arjun Deshwal, who was signed by Tamil Thalaivas for INR 1.405 crores, and Yogesh Dahiya, who will ply his trade for Bengaluru Bulls after being signed for INR 1.125 crores.
“The PKL 12 Player Auction for Category A shows how performance plays a key role with Shadloui and Devank being rewarded with exceptional bids of over INR 2 Crores. We also saw five Crorepatis in this Category, and the new two-season FBM rule making an impact after being used by Patna Pirates and then Dabang Delhi K.C. This sets the stage for the rest of the Categories as the franchises build their squads for another season of exciting kabaddi action,” said Mr. Anupam Goswami, Business Head, Mashal Sports & League Chairman, Pro Kabaddi League.
*All the buys from PKL 12 Player Auction Category A:*
Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh – INR 2.23 Cr – Gujarat Giants (fourth most expensive ever)
Fazel Atrachali – INR 30 Lakhs – Dabang Delhi K.C.
Pawan Sehrawat – INR 59.5 Lakhs – Tamil Thalaivas
Bharat Hooda – INR 81 Lakhs – Telugu Titans
Vijay Malik – INR 51.5 Lakhs – Telugu Titans via one-season FBM
Shubham Shinde – INR 80 Lakhs – Telugu Titans
Ankush – INR 30 Lakhs – Bengaluru Bulls
Deepak Rajender Singh — INR 86 Lakhs – Patna Pirates via two-season FBM
Yogesh Dahiya – INR 1.125 Crores – Bengaluru Bulls
Ashu Malik – INR 1.90 Crores – Dabang Delhi K.C. via two-season FBM
Arjun Deshwal – INR 1.405 Crores – Tamil Thalaivas
Devank Dalal – INR 2.205 Crores – Bengal Warriorz (Fifth most expensive player)
