PWL Auction: Sushil Kumar becomes highest paid wrestler after being bought by Delhi Sultans

What's the story?

Sushil Kumar became the most expensive wrestler in the history of Pro Wrestling League after the Delhi Sultans acquired his services for a massive Rs 55 lakh during the auctions.

In case you didn't know...

Sushil won the National Championship earlier in the year with walkovers in the final three stages, i.e. quarter-final, semi-final and the final. This created a huge controversy around Sushil but he cleared the air of doubt as he went on to win the gold medal at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships in South Africa.

Sushil was bought for Rs. 38 lakhs in the first season while Yogeshwar Dutt and three other women wrestlers went for a higher price. In a controversial manner, Sushil pulled out of the tournament just a day before the start.

Heart of the matter

Sushil became the first wrestler to be bought for over Rs 50 lakh, surpassing Vladimir Khinchegashvili's price of Rs. 48 lakhs (last year). Ironically and very surprisingly, the Georgian went unsold in this year's auction.

Nevertheless, it was an entertaining sight to see Delhi Sultan and Veer Maratha go in for a bidding war for Sushil and it was no less than a wrestling match in itself. In the end, he was bought by Delhi Sultan for more than double his base price.

What's next?

The third season of Pro Wrestling League will commence on 9th January and Delhi Sultan will be hoping that their mammoth buy would help them win the prestigious title. Personally, for Sushil, it's a big chance to prove his worth after his controversial pull out in the first season. The third season of Pro Wrestling League could not come at a better time as Sushil has just completed a great comeback from injury.

Author's take

The two-time Olympic medalist is by far, the best wrestler in the country and one of the best wrestlers in the world and hence it was no surprise to see Sushil being bought for such a whopping price.