The PKL 11 Auction took place on the 15th and 16th of August in Mumbai. Over 500 players with diverse skills were available for selection. With only 88 players retained, including 22 Elite Retained Players, by the 12 franchises, the event was anticipated to be a thrilling spectacle.
Both raiders and defenders secured significant contracts as teams aimed to strategically utilize their Rs 5 Cr budget to form balanced squads.
Let’s take a look at the most expensive signings from Day 1 of the PKL 11 Auction.
5. Bharat Hooda – UP Yoddhas
Bharat Hooda was signed by UP Yoddhas for Rs 1.3 Crore. There was intense competition for the 23-year-old, with Telugu Titans eager to reunite him with Pawan Sehrawat, but the Yoddhas ultimately had the financial advantage.
During his time with Bengaluru Bulls, Bharat progressed from being Pawan’s support in season 8 to becoming the main raider in season 9, where he scored 279 points, making him the second-best raider of the season. However, his performance dipped last season, drawing public criticism from coach Randhir.
Now at the Yoddhas, Bharat is aiming for a fresh start and hopes to create a powerful partnership with Surender Gill.
4. Pawan Sehrawat – Telugu Titans
The Telugu Titans used their Final Bid Match (FBM) card to retain Indian captain and raider Pawan Sehrawat for a second straight season.
U Mumba initially won the bid at Rs 1.725 lakhs, narrowly beating the Bengaluru Bulls. However, the Telugu Titans ultimately secured Sehrawat.
Sehrawat, who led the Bengaluru Bulls to a season 6 title and earned the Most Valuable Player award, saw his value continue to rise. After requesting to be released for the season 9 auction, he was picked by the Tamil Thalaivas but missed the season due to an injury in the first match.
The Telugu Titans then signed him for a record Rs 2.615 Cr. Despite his consistent performance, scoring 202 raid points, the team won only two out of 22 matches. With new reinforcements alongside Sehrawat, the Titans are expected to perform better this season.
3. Guman Singh – Gujarat Giants
Guman Singh secured a massive deal of Rs 1.97 crore with Gujarat Titans. This talented raider will team up with players like Rakesh and Parteek Dahiya.
Although Telugu Titans initiated the bidding, the real contest was between UP Yoddhas and the Giants, with the Giants ultimately winning, bringing Guman back under the guidance of coach Ram Mehar Singh.
Guman first showcased his talent with Patna Pirates under Ram Mehar Singh but was later released due to the team’s abundance of raiders.
He then joined the 1 Crore club after being picked by U Mumba. Over two seasons with U Mumba, he consistently delivered strong performances, becoming the top raider for his team both times. Unfortunately, injuries caused him to miss several matches in each season, affecting his team’s chances.
ALSO READ: Top 5 Greatest Scores of Babar Azam in Test Cricket
2. Mohammadreza Shadloui – Haryana Steelers
Mohammadreza Chiyaneh Shadloui, an Iranian left corner, made headlines when he was signed by the Haryana Steelers for Rs 2.07 Cr. This deal set the tone for the evening, especially as the legendary Fazel Atrachali didn’t attract much attention.
The bidding war for Shadloui was intense, with the Telugu Titans kicking things off. The Steelers had to fend off four other teams—Titans, Gujarat Giants, U Mumba, and Patna Pirates—to secure the all-rounder.
With defenders like Rahul Sethpal, Jaideep Dahiya, and Mohit Nandal, the Steelers now arguably have the strongest defense among all twelve franchises.
Shadloui first burst onto the scene in his debut season (eighth edition) with the Pirates, racking up 89 tackle points. He proved his consistency by scoring 84 points the following season.
After requesting to be released for the PKL 10 auctions, he was picked up by Puneri Paltan for a record Rs 2.35 Cr, the highest bid ever for a foreign player in the PKL. Shadloui then delivered an outstanding performance, securing 99 tackle points, which played a crucial role in Pune’s title-winning campaign.
1. Sachin Tanwar – Tamil Thalaivas
Sachin Tanwar became the most expensive player of the day, being bought by the Tamil Thalaivas for an astonishing Rs 2.15 Cr. He’s now the third player to cross the two-crore mark, following Shadloui and Pawan.
The Telugu Titans initiated the bidding at Rs 70 lakhs, and soon the UP Yoddhas joined in. While the Titans bowed out early, the Gujarat Giants, coached by Sachin’s former mentor at Patna, Ram Mehar Singh, entered the competition.
The Giants exited after the bidding surpassed Rs 1.5 Cr, but the Thalaivas stepped in and made significant bids. In the end, the Yoddhas conceded, allowing the Thalaivas to secure Sachin at a record price.
After an impressive debut season with the Gujarat Giants, Sachin faced challenges in his second season and was released before the PKL 8 auctions. The Patna Pirates then picked him up, and under Coach Ram Mehar Singh, Sachin delivered consistent performances.
He scored 172 raid points in 23 matches, playing a key role in the Pirates’ journey to the final, which they narrowly lost by 1 point.
In the following season, the Rajasthan-born raider maintained his form, scoring 176 raid points, though his team finished tenth in the standings.
In the 10th edition, Sachin led an experienced raiding unit, helping the Pirates reach the semifinals. Known for his work rate and reliability in high-pressure situations, the 25-year-old is eager to make an immediate impact for the Thalaivas alongside Narender Kandola.
READ MORE:
