MUMBAI, OCT 10 : After a smashing display at the just-concluded Asian Games at Hangzhou, Pawan Sehrawat emerged as the most expensive buy after the Telugu Titans bought the star player for Rs 2.6 crore on Day 1 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 10 Player Auction held here on Monday.

The auction was organised by Marshal Sports. It saw a jump in the Rs 1-crore club from four players in the last auction to five players. Sehrawat, Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh, Maninder Singh, Fazel Atrachali and Siddharth Desai were part of the Rs 1 crore club.

Chiyaneh emerged as the most expensive foreign player at the Pro Kabaddi League Player Auction, being bought for a Rs 2.35 crore by Puneri Paltan.

Maninder returned to Bengal Warriors after the franchise utilized the FBM card to match Telugu Titans’ bid of Rs 2.12 crore.

The Iranian kabaddi legend Atrachali crossed the Rs 1 crore mark once again after he was acquired by Gujarat Giants for Rs 1.6 crore. He also retained his record for the most expensive defender in PKL history.

Atrachali’s compatriot Mohammad Esmaeil Nabibakhsh was bought by the Giants for Rs 22 lakh.

A total of 23 players were sold to the 12 franchise teams with as many as 6 Final Bid Match (FBM) cards being used on Day 1.

Speaking on behalf of Mashal Sports, Anupam Goswami, Head Sports Leagues, Mashal Sports and League Commissioner, Pro Kabaddi League said, “It was an exceptional day at the Pro Kabaddi League Player Auction as we witnessed five players cross the Rs 1-crore mark.

“It was extremely thrilling to see Pawan reclaim his record for being the highest-ever buy after Shadloui had broken his previously held record earlier in the day. There’s more action to come on Day 2 and hopefully, all franchises will be able to construct well-balanced squads for Season 10.” (UNI)