'%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)
Once again the Kabaddi season is upon us. Once again fast-paced, thrilling action will come our way.
Kabaddi has been in India for a really long time now. However, it was only in 2014 that the sport was commercialized and brought to the general public. What followed in the coming years was unprecedented.
The league has only gone one way, upwards. Pro Kabaddi League's popularity soared to such an extent that four new teams were added to the roster, last year, to increase local fan support.
However, with fresh auctions this year, the teams were back in their dugouts thinking of the best strategy. While some teams reserved their wallet and made smart budget signings, others went all out.
The 2018 auction also broke the record for the highest paid domestic and foreign player, showing a clear growth from the previous editions.
In the midst of all the action, we bring you five of the most expensive players from this year's auction.
#5 Rishank Devadiga (UP Yoddha)
UP Yoddha went into the auction with a clear goal - to rebuild from the ground up. In fact, they were one of the highest spending sides of the 2018 Pro Kabaddi League Auction, shelling out a whopping Rs. 393.55 Lakh on new players.
Rishank Devadiga stole the limelight, however, for the Yoddha.
The raider invited bids from across the room, with his price quickly soaring above the hundred lakh mark. Interestingly it was Dabang Delhi who won the bidding war for Devadiga at Rs. 111 Lakhs.
However, UP Yoddha were quick to move and used the newly created 'Final Bid Match' card to automatically match the highest bid and in turn, bring Devadiga back on the roster.
#4 Nitin Tomar (Puneri Paltan)
Puneri Paltan had to bid farewell to another good player in Deepak Niwas Hooda. However, the Paltan ensured they spent wisely and picked up some good players.
The Paltan spent Rs. 386.42 Lakhs in the 2018 Pro Kabaddi League Auction. Once again, outbidding Dabang Delhi, the Paltan secured the services of Nitin Tomar for Rs. 115 Lakhs.
Tomar was slow to start his PKL career, warming the bench for the first couple of seasons. However, once he got the chance to shine at the big stage, he did.
The Paltan were one of the founding members of the Pro Kabaddi League but have never truly realized their full potential. However, with the signing of Tomar, they have shown the intent needed to fight their way to the top.
#3 Deepak Niwas Hooda (Jaipur Pink Panthers)
Jaipur Pink Panthers have been, in many ways, the face of Pro Kabaddi in India. Winning the first ever Pro Kabaddi League and led by charismatic owner Abhishek Bachchan on the sidelines, the Pink Panthers helped in bringing about the Kabaddi revolution in India.
Apart from finishing on top of the table in the inaugural PKL, the Pink Panthers also finished as runners-up on one occasion.
However, a group stage exit from the previous edition of PKL hurt the side.
They responded in a fantastic manner, by signing Deepak Hooda for a whopping Rs. 115 Lakhs, indicating a clear intent to go for glory in season six.
#2 Rahul Chaudhari (Telugu Titans)
Telugu Titans were one of the founding members of the Pro Kabaddi League when it was established in 2014.
However, the Titans have never really come close to a title in the five seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League. Going into the auction, they were clearly looking to change that.
The Titans spent a total of Rs. 399.92 Lakhs on eighteen new players in the auction, indicating a clear strategy to go big. A huge chunk of that amount, however, went to Rahul Chaudhari.
Once again it was at the expense of Dabang Delhi that the Titans got their player. Delhi had won a thrilling bidding war for Chaudhari at Rs. 129 Lakhs. However, Telugu Titans used their Final Bid Match card to bring Chaudhari back into the squad.
#1 Monu Goyat (Haryana Steelers)
Haryana Steelers became one of the expansion teams to join the roster of the Pro Kabaddi League, last season. The Steelers enjoyed a decent campaign as well, qualifying from the group stages.
However, they couldn't do well in the playoffs and finished sixth. Going into the 2018 Pro Kabaddi League Auction, they were looking to change that.
One way to show intent is to make the biggest bid in the history of the league. Steelers did exactly that when they bought Monu Goyat for a staggering Rs. 151 Lakh. Their winning bid meant that the raider is now the highest paid player in the history of Pro Kabaddi League.
The Rs. 151 Lakh bid for Goyat also shows the growth of the game, as the previous record for the highest paid player was held by Nitin Tomar at Rs. 93 Lakh.
