'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The PKL auction will take place on the 8th and 9th of April, and fans can't wait for the mega-event. The Elite Retained Players' list has been released by the league, and big names such as Rohit Kumar, Pardeep Narwal and Pawan Kumar Sehrawat have been retained, as was expected. 2 teams in the form of Patna Pirates and Telugu Titans chose to retain 4 players, while Puneri Paltan released all their players. The Retained Young Players' list has still not come out.
While some of the big names have been retained, there were some shockers when players like Rahul Chaudhari and Siddharth Sirish Desai were omitted from the list. These big-name players will go under the hammer, and one can expect them to earn the big bucks. Monu Goyat was sold for a whopping ₹1.51 crore last season, and with many star players set to go under the hammer, that record could break.
On that note, let us have a look at 9 players to watch out for in the upcoming PKL auction.
#9 Surender Nada
Surender Nada could only play a solitary game for Haryana Steelers last season due to an injury. He injured himself in the very first game and ruled himself out for the entire tournament. However, he didn't fail to create an impact as he managed 4 tackle points. The former Bengaluru Bulls' player has been one of the most successful defenders in the league's history and has made a name for himself as an ankle-hold specialist.
The left corner defender is a great leader on and off the mat and will be a guiding light for the team. He adds a lot of experience and never backs out of a fight.
Teams that will want him: Bengaluru Bulls, Tamil Thalaivas, UP Yoddha
#8 Rishank Devadiga
The former UP Yoddha skipper can be a lethal raider on his day and has shown that on numerous occasions in the past. The 27-year-old had an injury-plagued season last time around and hence, wasn't able to deliver the goods on a more consistent basis. He notched up 100 raid points in 23 games last season at an average of 4.3 points per game.
Teams that will want him: Puneri Paltan, Jaipur Pink Panthers, Haryana Steelers
#7 Parvesh Bhainswal
The 21-year-old formed one-half of one of the most feared cover pairings last season. He and Sunil Kumar were sensational for the Gujarat Fortune Giants and played a key role in the team's run to the final. The left cover defender was the 2nd best defender last season, finishing behind Nitesh Kumar. He had 86 tackle points in 25 games at an average of 3.28 points per game last season.
Teams that will want him: U Mumba, Telugu Titans, Haryana Steelers
#6 Nitesh Kumar
Nitesh Kumar broke all sorts of records last season when he managed a staggering 100 tackle points in just 25 games. He was 14 points ahead of the 2nd-placed, Parvesh Bhainswal. The youngster was the main man for UP Yoddha last season and helped them into a 3rd placed finish. The right corner defender had 8 'High 5's' last season, showing his ability to rack up the big points on a consistent basis.
Teams that will want him: Dabang Delhi, Bengal Warriors, Bengaluru Bulls
#5 Monu Goyat
Monu Goyat played for the Haryana Steelers last season and was their captain. He became the most expensive player at last season's auction and was expected to play a leading role. He had a similar performance to the one he had in season 5 and had 160 points to his name at an average of 8 points/game. He formed an excellent raiding partnership with Vikash Khandola last season. He is a cool and calm customer and is one of the best captains up for sale this season.
Teams that will want him: Patna Pirates, UP Yoddha, Telugu Titans
#4 Vishal Bhardwaj
This bloke has been one of the most consistent defenders across the last 2 seasons of the PKL and has been one of the few shining lights for the Titans in difficult times. The left corner defender captained the Telugu Titans last season and did exhibit shades of leadership quality. He had a good season as he scored 60 tackle points in 17 games at an average of 3.53 points/game. Vishal is a young player and will be a long-term investment for any team.
Teams that will want him: Haryana Steelers, Gujarat Fortune Giants, Patna Pirates
#3 Nitin Tomar
Nitin Tomar has always been a threat for opposition defenders and has the ability to do anything on a Kabaddi mat. He is a superb raider, and he also adds to the team as a handy defender. The former Bengal Warriors' player held the record of being the most expensive record before Monu Goyat smashed it. He had 100 points from 11 games last season at an average of 9.09 points.
Teams that will want him: UP Yoddha, U Mumba, Tamil Thalaivas
#2 Siddharth Sirish Desai
The youngster came into last season as an unknown commodity and left the season as a star raider. Siddharth Desai wreaked havoc last season and stormed his way to the top 3 raiders' list. He pushed U Mumba into the playoffs and delivered for them at all stages of a game. He had 218 points in 21 games at a stunning average of 10.03 points, and releasing him could prove to be a costly error by the franchise.
Teams that will want him: Telugu Titans, Gujarat Fortune Giants, Puneri Paltan
#1 Rahul Chaudhari
Rahul Chaudhari is known as the poster boy of Pro Kabaddi and has been there since the beginning. He is 2nd on the list of most successful raiders and was on top of it for a very long time before Pardeep Narwal overtook him. He had 159 raid points in 21 games last season at an average of 7.57 points. Although he has shown the tendency to wilt under pressure, it is because of the fact that he has never had someone to calm him down and support him. If he can have a couple of experienced players with him, he can reach his full potential.
Teams that will want him: Puneri Paltan, Dabang Delhi, Jaipur Pink Panthers
