"Highest paid player might not be an Indian this time" - Aslam Inamdar makes a bold prediction for Pro Kabaddi 2024 Auction

Pro Kabaddi League season 10 winning captain Aslam Inamdar has made a bold prediction ahead of the auction. In Inamdar's view, the most expensive player of Pro Kabaddi 2024 auction may not be an Indian.

In an exclusive chat with Sportskeeda ahead of the Pro Kabaddi 2024 auction, Aslam Inamdar opened up on his team Puneri Paltan's strategy. Pune surprisingly released last season's best defender Mohammareza Shadloui ahead of the auction.

Explaining the reason why Pune had to let go of their Iranian star, Inamdar said:

"We wanted to retain him but we had a lot of Category A players. Once the category list came, most of us were in A or B. We took most of our team back in RYP and Elite Retentions but we couldn't retain Shadloui because of our purse. We have not spoken to him yet. He's very capable and he deserves."

Shadloui was the second most expensive pick at last year's auction. Puneri Paltan snapped him up for ₹2.35 crore at the auction, and the Iranian justified the price tag by helping Pune become champions for the first time.

Considering Shadloui is an extraordinary defender and a great support raider, Aslam Inamdar opined that the Iranian star could emerge as the most expensive player of this year's auction.

"It all depends on teams' situation depends on which players have been sold so far. Highest paid player might not be an Indian this time. Every team will be after Shadloui and will focus on him. I think, 99%, the highest bid will be on Shadloui," Inamdar added.

Shadloui has been a part of three Pro Kabaddi League seasons so far. He has earned 309 points in 68 matches, registering 27 High 5s. It will be interesting to see if Puneri Paltan can re-sign the Iranian star at the Pro Kabaddi 2024 auction.

Pune have ₹2.12 crore remaining in their auction purse right now. Since Shadloui went for ₹2.35 crore last season, it seems unlikely that the defending champions will be able to sign him this year even if they bid the entire purse value remaining for the Pro Kabaddi 2024 auction.

"Since it is India's own sport, we feel happy that the auction is on Independence Day" - Aslam Inamdar looking forward to Pro Kabaddi 2024 auction on August 15

This year, the Pro Kabaddi League organizers have decided to organize the player auction on Thursday, August 15. The auction will conclude on Friday, August 16. Many kabaddi players, including Aslam Inamdar, are delighted to have the auction on Thursday.

"Pro Kabaddi has given players a livelihood and made them popular. India has gotten a new generation of players. We have seen the seniors and learnt. Since it is India's own sport, we feel happy that the auction is on Independence Day," Inamdar commented.

The auction is just four days away. It will be exciting to see which players join Inamdar at Puneri Paltan for the 11th edition of the Pro Kabaddi League.