PKL 10 Auction: Purse remaining, Timing, Category, Telecast

High stakes at Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) player auctions.

Fresh from their gold medal victory at the Asian Games, India's men's kabaddi stars are set to dazzle as the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL 10) player auctions kick off in Mumbai on October 9 and 10.

Star-Studded Lineup

India's kabaddi powerhouse boasts an impressive lineup, including the formidable Pawan Kumar Sehrawat, who holds the record as the most expensive PKL player. Joining him is the consistent performer, Maninder Singh, fresh from his stint with the Bengal Warriors. Other Indian raiders in the spotlight include Vikash Khandola and Siddharth Desai, while defenders Vishal Bhardwaj and Surjeet Singh, both part of the triumphant Asian Games team, are also hot prospects.

Iranian Contenders

The Iranian team, who narrowly lost to India in a thrilling final, brings their own set of stars to the auction. Fazel Atrachali, PKL's priciest overseas signing, will be up for grabs after leading Puneri Paltan to last season's final. Also in the mix are Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh and the charismatic Mohammadreza Shadlou. Expect fierce bidding wars and record-breaking deals as the auctions heat up.

Bigger Purses, Bigger Bids

This season, the PKL has upped the ante with each of the 12 franchises now having a total salary purse of Rs 5 crore, a notable increase from the previous limit of Rs 4.4 crore. The Bengal Warriors, with Rs 4.2 crore at their disposal, are expected to make waves with their financial firepower.

Categories and Base Prices

Both domestic and overseas players are categorized into four groups: Category A, B, C, and D. Within each category, players are further classified as 'All-Rounders,' 'Defenders,' and 'Raiders.' The base prices for each category are as follows: Category A: Rs 30 Lakh, Category B: Rs 20 Lakh, Category C: Rs 13 Lakh, and Category D: Rs 9 Lakh.

Final Bid Match (FBM) Card

Teams can retain players using the Final Bid Match (FBM) card during the auction. This card allows a team to reacquire players they had previously released for the final bid price at the auction. For example, if Tamil Thalaivas released Pawan Kumar Sehrawat, and another team bids Rs 2.5 crore for him, the Thalaivas can use their FBM card to match that offer and reclaim him. However, if they decline to use the FBM card, the winning team will secure his services.

How much money does each team have before the PKL auction?

• Bengal Warriors | Balance: Rs 42,269,552 | No. of players in the squad: 8
• Bengaluru Bulls | Balance: Rs 29,938,470 | No. of players in the squad: 9
• Dabang Delhi K.C. | Balance: Rs 31,269,552 | No. of players in the squad: 9
• Gujarat Giants | Balance: Rs 40,267,075 | No. of players in the squad: 6
• Haryana Steelers | Balance: Rs 31,334,552 | No. of players in the squad: 12
• Jaipur Pink Panthers | Balance: Rs 8,795,802 | No. of players in the squad: 12
• Patna Pirates | Balance: Rs 30,960,545 | No. of players in the squad: 10
• Puneri Paltan | Balance: Rs 28,071,538 | No. of players in the squad: 13
• Tamil Thalaivas | Balance: Rs 24,364,164 | No. of players in the squad: 14
• Telugu Titans | Balance: Rs 34,462,733 | No. of players in the squad: 9
• U Mumba | Balance: Rs 26,998,360 | No. of players in the squad: 13
• U.P. Yoddhas | Balance: Rs 20,642,802 | No. of players in the squad: 10

PKL's Costliest Signings

Pawan Kumar Sehrawat made history as the most expensive player in PKL, with a jaw-dropping Rs 2.26 crore signing by Tamil Thalaivas in PKL 9. The top 5 highest-priced signings in PKL history are:

1. Pawan Kumar Sehrawat: Rs 2.26 crore, Tamil Thalaivas

2. Vikash Khandola: Rs 1.70 crore, Bengaluru Bulls

3. Pardeep Narwal: Rs 1.65 crore, UP Yoddha

4. Monu Goyat: Rs 1.51 crore, Haryana Steelers

5. Siddharth Desai: Rs 1.45 crore, Telugu Titans

As the stage is set for the PKL 10 player auctions, fans, and franchises alike eagerly anticipate the drama, surprises, and record-breaking deals that lie ahead.