PKL 2025 Auction: Full Highlights, Top Buys, and Team Strategies Explained Simply
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is back with a bang! The pkl auction 2025was held on May 31 and June 1, 2025, in Mumbai. It was full of excitement, with all 12 teams fighting to build strong squads. This year, the auction made history with some of the biggest signings ever seen in PKL. Fans got to see intense bidding wars, smart strategies, and surprising moments.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about the PKL 2025 auction in a simple and easy-to-understand way.
🧾 What Was the Pkl auction 2025 All About?
The auction was organized to help teams rebuild their squads before the start of Season 12. A total of over 500 players were available, and teams had to pick a total of 212 players. Each team had a fixed budget, so they had to plan wisely about who they wanted to buy.
The auction was shown live on Star Sports and streamed on Disney+ Hotstar, allowing fans to watch all the drama unfold.
🥇 Biggest Signings of the PKL Auction 2025
This auction broke all past records. Let’s look at the top players who got the highest bids:
1. Mohammadreza Shadloui – ₹2.35 crore (Gujarat Giants)
Mohammadreza, an Iranian all-rounder, became the costliest player in PKL history. Gujarat Giants spent ₹2.35 crore to buy him. He is strong in both attack and defense, and the team wants to build their season around him.
2. Devank Dalal – ₹2.205 crore (Bengal Warriors)
Devank was the top raider in Season 11. Bengal Warriors paid over ₹2.2 crore to get him. He is quick, smart, and can score lots of points. The Warriors are hoping he will lead their raiding department.
3. Ashu Malik – ₹1.9 crore (Dabang Delhi K.C.)
Ashu was one of the top players last season. Dabang Delhi decided to invest big to bring him back. At ₹1.9 crore, he will be the main raider for Delhi in Season 12.
4. Arjun Deshwal – ₹1.41 crore (Tamil Thalaivas)
Arjun is known for his fast movements and ability to score under pressure. Tamil Thalaivas spent ₹1.41 crore to sign him, hoping he can take them to the playoffs.
5. Ankit Jaglan – ₹1.5725 crore (Patna Pirates)
Ankit was first bought by Haryana Steelers, but Patna Pirates used the Final Bid Match (FBM) card to keep him. His all-round abilities make him a key player for Patna.
Surprising Moments from the Auction Pardeep Narwal Remained Unsold (Day 1) pkl auction 2025
The biggest shock was that Pardeep Narwal, one of the most famous raiders in PKL, went unsold on Day 1. He is known as the “Dubki King,” but poor recent performances may have led to teams skipping him. Fans were disappointed, but he might still get picked later.
Fazel Atrachali Bought for ₹30 lakh
Another surprise was Fazel Atrachali, the most successful defender in PKL history, being bought for just ₹30 lakh by Dabang Delhi. This is considered one of the smartest buys of the auction.
Young Players Attract Attention
Several young and unknown players were picked at decent prices. Teams are now looking for fresh talent, not just big names. This is a good sign for the future of kabaddi in India.
Team Strategies – What Each Team Tried to Do
Every team came with a plan. Some focused on strong raiders, while others focused on building a solid defense. Let’s take a look:Gujarat Giants
Their plan was simple — get the best all-rounder and build the team around him. With Shadloui in their team, they have a strong defensive base.
Bengal Warriors
They went all-in on raiding by signing Devank Dalal. Their goal is to have an aggressive raiding setup that can dominate games.Dabang Delhi
Delhi made balanced buys. They got back Ashu Malik and added experienced defender Fazel Atrachali. They now have both attack and defense covered.
Patna Pirates
Patna kept faith in their players and used the FBM card smartly to retain Ankit Jaglan. They are focused on continuity and team chemistry.
UP Yoddhas
They stayed quiet in most big bidding wars. Fans were expecting them to make bold moves, but they focused more on backups than stars.
Telugu Titans
Even with a big budget, the Titans didn’t make a major splash. This was disappointing as they were expected to go for a top raider or defender.
Trends We Saw in the pkl auction 2025
The 2025 auction showed us how PKL teams are changing their approach.
1. Focus on All-Rounders
Tems are now looking for players who can raid and defend. All-rounders give more flexibility, and that’s why players like Shadloui and Jaglan got such high bids.
2. Form Matters More than Name
In the past, big names like Pardeep Narwal and Rahul Chaudhari were always in demand. This time, teams focused more on current form and fitness rather than past achievements.
3. Foreign Players Still Valuable
Players from Iran, South Korea, and Sri Lanka were in demand again. Their fitness, strength, and kabaddi skills make them key players in many teams.
4. Younger Players Getting Noticed
Many teams are investing in NYPs (New Young Players), hoping to find the next big kabaddi star. This shows that teams are now planning for the future too.
Action Highlights in Numbers
Category | Details |
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Total players available | 500+ |
Players bought | 212 |
Most expensive player | Mohammadreza Shadloui – ₹2.35 crore |
Most expensive raider | Devank Dalal – ₹2.205 crore |
Most expensive Indian player | Ashu Malik – ₹1.9 crore |
Steal of the auction | Fazel Atrachali – ₹30 lakh |
Most shocking unsold player | Pardeep Narwal |
Where to Watch pkl auction 2025
The auction was live on Star Sports and streamed on Disney+ Hotstar. The upcoming PKL Season 12 will also be shown on these platforms. So if you’re a kabaddi fan, make sure you don’t miss the action!
What Happens Next after pkl auction 2025?
Now that the auction is over, teams will start preparing for PKL Season 12, which is expected to start later this year. Fans can expect exciting matches, close contests, and maybe some new stars emerging.
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Training camps will begin soon.
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Coaches will test combinations and strategies.
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Fans are already debating who has the best squad!
Final Thoughts on pkl auction 2025
The PKL 2025 Auction was full of drama, strategy, and surprises. From Shadloui’s record bid to Pardeep Narwal going unsold, it had everything.
Here’s what made this auction special:
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Teams are more professional and smarter now.
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They care more about current performance than past fame.
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There’s more trust in young Indian players and foreign talent.
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And most importantly, kabaddi as a sport is growing rapidly.
With the squads now finalized, all eyes will be on the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12. Will the big buys live up to their price tags? Can underdog teams surprise everyone? We’ll find out soon.
Written by: [vipul ranka]
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