PKL 12: Top five raiders to watch out for at auction

There will be plenty of good raiders available in the upcoming PKL 12 auction.

The 12th edition of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) and the upcoming auction for the new season are generating a lot of excitement among the fans of the sport. In the auction, which takes place on May 31 and June 1, 2025, the respective franchises will be in swift action, trying to outdo their competitors in signing quality players. 

Ahead of the auction, the teams released and retained several players, giving a glimpse into their possible strategy going into the auction. Interestingly, altering their approach, plenty of teams have let go of their star raiders, which will lead to a heated race for them in the upcoming auction.

There are plenty of heavy hitters available in the auction for the 12th edition of the Pro Kabaddi League. Keeping the focus on the raiders that will be available in the PKL 12 auction, here are the top five to watch out for:

Also Read: PKL 12: Three players Tamil Thalaivas should target in auction

Pawan Sehrawat

Pawan Sehrawat being released from Telugu Titans allows other teams a chance to recruit him for the 12th edition of the Pro Kabaddi League. The former Bengaluru Bulls star needs no introduction, having scored 1318 raid points in the PKL history, the third highest for an individual player. One can expect plenty of teams to be involved in a bidding war to buy Sehrawat, who brings leadership and a winning mentality to the table.

Naveen Kumar

Naveen Kumar will be representing another team apart from Dabang Delhi in the PKL for the first time, depending on which team secures his services. The former captain and a title winner with the Dabang Delhi has been released by the outfit, giving a rare opportunity for other teams to sign him through the auction. While his recent run with injuries has been poor, the “Naveen Express” possesses leadership qualities that can drive any team to success.

Ashu Malik

Ashu Malik was a one-man army for the last two seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League for Dabang Delhi. The outfit’s decision to release him has come as a big shock, as he delivered 262 and 276 points in seasons 12 and 11, respectively. He is easily one of the most lucrative players available in the auction, and the PKL teams will be fighting for his signature.

Also Read: PKL 12: Three Players Dabang Delhi should target in auction

Arjun Deshwal

Arjun Deshwal is another high-profile raider who will be available in the upcoming auction for the 12th season of the Pro Kabaddi League. The top raid points getter from seasons nine (296) and 10 (276) has been released by the Jaipur Pink Panthers. Whichever team outbids the rest for Deshwal, it will welcome an aggressive raider who delivers on a consistent basis.

Pardeep Narwal

Pardeep Narwal is also available in the upcoming auction after Bengaluru Bulls decided to release him due to a lukewarm season 11 together. Having said that, the three-time PKL winner is the highest raid points scorer in the history of the league with 1801 points and can single-handedly turn the tide of a kabaddi game on his day.

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