PKL 9: All instances when FBM Card was used in recent auction

Franchises used the option strategically to retain key players.

The Final Bid Match (FBM) card has added to the suspense of several Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) auctions in the past. Key signings were snatched away under the noses in the final few seconds.

Big money has been splashed through this card during last season’s auctions. Telugu Titans were willing to match a bid of ₹1.30 crore for Siddharth Desai and UP Yoddha shelled out ₹75 lakhs to keep the services of Shrikant Jadhav.

In the Season PKL 9 auction, FBMs were sporadically used. This was due to the high number of retained players and several squads looking to fill holes at the auction table. The card was used only eight times by six teams. Each team had three FBMs to use and seeing the card flashed just eight times out of a possible 36 could mean that franchises are looking beyond the FBM while formulating their strategies. Here are the eight players the FBM was used for in the season 9 auctions:

1. Mohammad Esmaeil Maghsodlou: FBM used by Haryana Steelers at Rs 10.5 lakhs

The Iranian all-rounder has improved his defensive abilities by leaps and bounds. Starting off as a raider for the Patna Pirates in Season 7, he was picked by Haryana Steelers in last year’s auctions and remains with them for Season 9.

2. Harendra Kumar: FBM used by U Mumba at Rs 20 lakhs

The left cover defender re-joins U Mumba after a steady second season, picking up 30 tackle points from 73 tackles. The successful cover combination of Surender Singh and Harendra Kumar could reignite the spark for U Mumba.

3. Sunil Narwal: FBM used by Patna Pirates at Rs 21.50 lakhs

Patna’s big-game pirate impressed throughout last season, picking up four High 5s and entering the 100-tackle points club. A reliable presence over the years, using the FBM for Sunil at that rate was a no-brainer for Patna Pirates.

4. Pardeep Kumar: FBM used by Gujarat Giants at Rs 25 lakhs

A mechanical engineer who was star-struck by the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), Pardeep Kumar made his debut for the Gujarat Giants last season. The right-raider notched up 75 raid points from 148 raids, quickly becoming the lead raider for the Giants.

U Mumba looked destined to nab Pardeep but Gujarat Giants wanted their man back. Pardeep burst onto the scene with his 14-raid point performance against Bengaluru Bulls, displaying his talent and ability.

5. Sachin: FBM used by Patna Pirates at Rs 81 lakhs

Ever since making his debut in Season 5 for Gujarat Giants, Sachin quickly became a fan favourite and had the performances to match his rise to stardom. He finished his debut season with 173 raid points, bettering his tally to 204 the next season. He was let go to the Patna Pirates after an injury-riddled Season 7.

Leading the raiding pack at Patna, Sachin seemed at home, notching up 181 raid points in the Pirates’ run till the finals. Gujarat wanted Sachin back and went up to ₹81 lakhs, but Patna used the FBM to keep the charismatic raider on their books.

6. Pardeep Narwal: FBM used by UP Yoddha at Rs 90 lakhs

A bidding bonanza was guaranteed when Pardeep Narwal’s name came up in the auction. Telugu Titans and Gujarat Giants took on each other bid-by-bid. Gujarat held the aces at ₹90 lakhs, but UP Yoddha swooped in to use the FBM at a very reasonable price for the two-time MVP.

An ankle injury slightly hampered his progress during his first season of PKL as a Yoddha, but Pardeep’s comeback during the latter stages of Season 8 will fill him with confidence heading into his second season with the team.

7. Adarsh T- FBM used by Telugu Titans at Rs 10 lakhs

The left corner defender remains a Titan after the FBM was used on the impressive all-rounder. Adarsh had a very productive Season 8 and was a shining light in an otherwise dull year for the Telugu Titans.

He scored 76 raid points from 147 raids and posted 10 tackle points from 20 attempts. He will target a much bigger role this year and will battle Vishal Bhardwaj for a spot in the starting seven.

8. Mahendra Ganesh Rajput: FBM used by Gujarat Giants at Rs 10 lakhs

The lanky left raider has been an imposing game-changer off the bench over the years. A Police Naik in the Maharashtra Police Department, Mahendra Rajput remains with the Gujarat Giants after the team used the second of their three FBM cards. He also brings invaluable experience, having captained Maharashtra in the 2015-16 senior nationals.