PKL Auction 2025 Day 1 Highlights: Shadloui Most Expensive with Rs 2.23 crore, Pardeep goes Unsold

PKL 2025 Auction Day 1 Highlights: The PKL 2025 auction is scheduled for May 31 and June 1 and each franchise operating under a ₹5 crore salary cap, the stage is set for crucial squad overhauls.

Check Out the full list of players who got sold in the auction and the list of players who went unsold.

PKL 2025 Day 1 Buys So Far

• Mohammadreza Shadloui - Gujarat Giants (Rs 2.23 crore)
• Fazel Atrachali - Dabang Delhi (Rs 30 Lakh)
• Pawan Sehrawat - Tamil Thalaivas (Rs 59.5 lakh)
• Bharat Hooda - Telugu Titans (Rs 81 lakh)
• Vijay Malik - Telugu Titans (Rs 51.5 lakh) [FBM 1 season]
• Shubham Shinde - Telugu Titans (Rs 80 lakh)
• Ankush - Bengaluru Bulls (Rs 30 lakh)
• Deepak Singh - Patna Pirates (Rs 86 lakh) [FBM 2 seasons]
• Yogesh - Bengaluru Bulls (Rs 1.125 crore)
• Ashu Malik - Dabang Delhi (Rs 1.90 crore) [FBM 2 seasons]
• Arjun Deshwal - Tamil Thalaivas (Rs 1.405 crore)
• Devank Dalal - Bengal Warriorz (Rs 2.205 crore)
• Amirhossein Bastami - Dabang Delhi (Rs 30 lakh)
• Ankit Jaglan - Patna Pirates (Rs 1.5725 crore) [FBM 1 season]
• Nitesh Kumar - Bengal Warriorz (Rs 20.25 lakh) [FBM 1 season]
• Sanket Sawant - Patna Pirates (Rs 40.50 lakh)
• Mahender Singh - UP Yoddhas (Rs 20 lakh) [FBM 1 season]
• Surjeet Singh - Dabang Delhi (Rs 20 lakh)
• Rinku - U Mumba (Rs 21 lakh) [FBM 1 season]
• Sanjay - Bengaluru Bulls (Rs 60 lakh)
• Guman Singh - UP Yoddhas (Rs 1.0725 crore)
• Maninder Singh - Patna Pirates (Rs 20 lakh)
• Nitin Kumar Dhankhar - Jaipur Pink Panthers (Rs 1.0025 crore)
• Manjeet - Jaipur Pink Panthers (Rs 40 lakh)
• Sachin Tanwar - Puneri Paltan (Rs 1.0575 crore)
• Naveen Kumar - Haryana Steelers (Rs 1.20 crore)

Unsold Players

• Sahil Gulia
• Pardeep Narwal

PKL Auction 2025 Strategic Shifts and Auction Trends

• Youth Over Legacy: A visible trend across franchises is the prioritization of emerging talent over big names. Teams are increasingly investing in younger, more athletic players who offer flexibility across positions and can adapt to high-tempo modern kabaddi.
• Correction in Veteran Valuations: With performance data taking precedence over brand value, many veterans might see subdued bidding. Players once seen as auction centerpieces may be signed at much lower prices, signaling a shift in franchise mindset.

🔥 Players to Watch

• Mohammadreza Shadloui (All-Rounder): After dominating in the last season, his big-money move to a new franchise is set to be a talking point. His versatility and defensive command make him one of the most influential players in the league.
• Sachin Tanwar (Raider): One of the most consistent raiders in the league, his high-profile acquisition reflects his rising stock. Expect him to be the offensive linchpin of his new team.
• Pardeep Narwal (Raider): Though not commanding the price tags of earlier seasons, his potential resurgence in a fresh setup adds intrigue. A breakout season from him could redefine his legacy.

🏆 Teams to Keep an Eye On

• Haryana Steelers: Coming off a title-winning season, they’ve added muscle in key areas. Their balanced squad and tactical depth could keep them in the title conversation.
• Bengaluru Bulls: With a mix of experience and young talent, they're rebuilding smartly. A rejuvenated offensive unit may return them to the top tier.
• Jaipur Pink Panthers: Known for methodical planning, they’ve retained a solid core and may focus on bolstering their bench strength and tactical variety.

📈 Expected Auction Dynamics

• Data-Driven Bidding: Franchises are now relying on analytics more than ever, assessing player efficiency, workload resilience, and situational performance.
• Controlled Spending: The ₹5 crore budget will force teams to be shrewd. Expect fewer impulsive bids and more calculated investment across all categories.
• Rise of International Players: Foreign stars, particularly from Iran and South Korea, are commanding significant attention. Their technical discipline and impact in crunch situations make them valuable assets.

The PKL 2025 auction is shaping up to be a strategic battlefield, where the focus is shifting from names to numbers, from legacies to form, and from star power to squad depth. Expect drama, surprises, and the seeds of championship runs to be sown.