Pro Kabaddi 2024 Auction: 3 bargain buys ft. Fazel Atrachali
Pro Kabaddi 2024 Auction is officially in the history books. The two-day event happened in Mumbai earlier this week, with the 12 franchises filling up the vacant spots in their squad.
Most of the teams secured the players they wished to have in their squads before the auction. While some players went for a price higher than expected, a few teams also managed to rope in big names at a bargain amount.
Now that the Pro Kabaddi 2024 Auction has ended, here's a list of the top three bargain buys from the two-day event in Mumbai.
#1 Bengal Warriors sign Fazel Atrachali for ₹50 lakh at Pro Kabaddi 2024 Auction
Iranian defender Fazel Atrachali stands at the number one position on the list of defenders with the highest tackle points in Pro Kabaddi League history. Fazel has earned 486 tackle points in 169 matches. Apart from that, he has also done a phenomenal job as captain for his previous franchises.
A majority of the kabaddi fans expected Fazel Atrachali to fetch at least ₹1 crore at the Pro Kabaddi 2024 Auction. However, much to everyone's surprise, Bengal Warriors roped him in for just ₹50 lakh. Gujarat Giants had an option to use the FBM card, but they did not exercise it.
After the auction, Gujarat Giants head coach Ram Mehar Singh exclusively told Sportskeeda:
"I believe that Fazel Atrachali is a very good player. He is a star player, but every player has his prime. Now, Fazel's reflexes are no longer the same. The youngsters are doing their best, perhaps better than Fazel."
Notably, Fazel was among the Top 20 defenders while playing for Gujarat Giants in PKL 10. Bengal Warriors team management would be happy if he continues in the same vein this year as well.
#2 Vijay Malik sold for ₹20 lakh to Telugu Titans at Pro Kabaddi 2024 Auction
Vijay Malik is one of the best all-rounders in the Pro Kabaddi League. He played a huge role in Dabang Delhi KC's championship win in season eight, and now will reunite with former Delhi coach Krishan Kumar Hooda at Telugu Titans in PKL 11.
The Titans secured Malik's services at his base price of ₹20 lakh. Although Malik had a disappointing outing with UP Yoddhas last season, he is one of the few players who can win matches with his raiding as well as tackling skills.
#3 Mohit Kaler sold to Puneri Paltan for ₹20 lakh at Pro Kabaddi 2024 Auction
Last season's finalists Puneri Paltan and Haryana Steelers have swapped their left corner defenders ahead of PKL 2024. While Haryana splurged ₹2.07 crore to sign Mohammadreza Shadloui, Pune signed Mohit Kaler for just ₹20 lakh.
Shadloui was the best defender of PKL 10, but Kaler was among the Top 25 defenders as well. Kaler earned 47 tackle points in 22 games. Considering that he has a decent amount of PKL experience now, the left corner defender can do a solid job for the Pune-based franchise in season 11.