Who is Gurdeep? All you need to know about the young defender signed by Patna Pirates in Pro Kabaddi 2024 Auction
Young Indian defender Gurdeep found a new team on the second day of the Pro Kabaddi League 2024 Auction as the three-time champions Patna Pirates roped him in for a whopping price of INR 59 lakh.
He was part of Category C in the PKL 2024 Auction with a base price of INR 10 lakh. As soon as his name came in the auction, Puneri Paltan and Patna Pirates started the bidding war. The intense bidding war continued between the two franchises as they tried to outbid each other.
As both Paltan and Pirates refused to put their paddles down, the bidding exceeded INR 50 lakh. Eventually, the Patna Pirates successfully bid for the Haryana-born all-rounder for the final price of INR 59 lakh.
Gurdeep’s PKL debut
Gurdeep made his Pro Kabaddi League debut in the PKL 2019 season. He was picked by the UP Yoddhas for INR 10 lakh in the New Young Player category. Though he was part of only five matches, he accumulated just four points at a tackle strike rate of 31 percent.
He was again retained by the Yoddhas for the PKL 2021 season at his base price of INR 10 lakh. He played 19 matches in that particular edition, amassing 17 points with three Super Tackles. Though the Yoddhas moved to the playoffs, they couldn't get past the Eliminator.
Getting better with experience
His best PKL season came in the ninth edition with the UP Yoddhas when he was retained for INR 10 lakh. He accumulated 36 points in 20 matches with two Super Tackles and as many High 5s. They made the cut to the playoffs but couldn’t make it to the final yet again.
In Season 10, Gurdeep was retained by the UP franchise yet again, but for a price of INR 20 lakh. Though the young defender played 16 matches in the edition, he could amass only 30 points out of 57 total tackles, including three Super Tackles. Unfortunately, the Yoddhas settled for the 11th rank in that edition.
Ahead of the PKL 2024 Auction, Gurdeep was released by the UP Yoddhas before being signed by the Patna Pirates.