PKL Auction 2019: Top 5 Indian Uncapped players bought on day 1

The Day 1 of the Pro Kabaddi League Season 7 Auctions has ended and the first day has thrown a lot of surprises. While the likes of youngsters such as Siddharth Desai and Nitin Tomar ended up earning more than a crore, a few veterans of the league such as Rahul Chaudhari and Rishank Devadiga also made big money in the auctions. Although experienced Kabaddi players like Jasvir Singh, Kashiling Adike and Sukesh Hegde were unsold on Day 1, there are big chances that they could still find a team on Day 2 of the auctions.

With the auction dynamics in the PKL, there are enough opportunities for young Kabaddi players to showcase their talent on the biggest stage of Kabaddi in India. We have seen a number of youngsters go on to play for India in the past after a successful stint in the Pro Kabaddi League. On similar lines, a lot of youngsters are expected to repeat the feat in the upcoming editions of the tournament.

It is natural for teams to invest in young talent as Kabaddi is a sport which values young and fast players with great reflexes. Keeping the future in mind, many of the teams splurge a lot of money on youngsters making them popular overnight. The Season 7 Auctions also had a few players who are yet to play for India who were paid a big amount.

Here are the Top 5 uncapped Indian players bought on day 1 of the Auctions:

#5 Parvesh Bhainswal - ₹75 lakh (Gujarat Fortunegiants)

Gujarat invested high on Parvesh on Day 1

The 21-year-old established himself as a left-cover for his team last season and his performances have been rewarded with a huge contract for the upcoming edition. Cousin of defender Sunil Kumar, Parvesh Bhainswal is yet to play for India and he has shown all the promise to be an important player for India in the future.

#4 Prashant Kumar Rai - ₹77 lakh (Haryana Steelers)

Prashant will have a good chance to showcase his talent again next season

It is surprising to note that Prashant is yet to make a name for himself on the international level. The tall Mangalore-born raider offers a physical edge to his team and his fast reflexes result in a number of raid points very often. He was purchased for ₹77 Lakh Rupees on Day 1 of the auction by Haryana Steelers and the tall raider should make sure that the upcoming season will help him get a place in the highly competitive India squad.

#3 Mahender Singh - ₹80 lakh (Bengaluru Bulls)

Mahender Singh was retained by Bengaluru Bulls

Also called as the Bulldozer, Mahender Singh has been Bengaluru Bulls' standout defender in the last two seasons. His performances were particularly impressive last season during which his team also clinched the PKL trophy for the first time ever. It was always expected that the youngster would find his way back to the Bengaluru team as the Season 6 champions paid ₹80 Lakh Rupees for him.

#2 Monu Goyat - ₹93 lakh (UP Yoddha)

Monu Goyat had a breakthrough season in 2017 when he along with Pardeep Narwal wreaked havoc on the opposition defenders as Patna Pirates went on to become champions that season. His performances were noticed as he became the costliest player last auction. Although his performances were decent last season, he was not retained by his squad which has led to him getting yet another big bid this auctions as he commanded a price of ₹93 Lakh Rupees.

#1 Siddharth Desai - ₹145 lakh (Telugu Titans)

Siddharth was the costliest player on Day 1

Siddarth Desai showed that he had all the qualities to be a top-class raider in his breakthrough season with U Mumba. His injuries did not allow U Mumba to retain him which has enabled the youngster to become the costliest buy on Day 1 with ₹1.45 Cr bid from Telugu Titans. A good show in the upcoming season could help him find a place in the Indian team too.