Pro Kabaddi 2017 Season 5: 5 players who have returned to their former teams after auction

The Pro Kabaddi League Season 5 auction saw two days of intense drama and action as 12 teams, with the addition of four new ones, looked to build competitive squads from scratch. Armed with a purse of Rs 4 crore each, the sides looked to outbid each other in order to form teams that can go on and lift the title.

Over 400 players went under the hammer over the two days and all the top players and upcoming prospects have been spread across the 12 franchises. However, in this melee, there are also a few players who have returned to their previous sides. Let’s take a look at them!

#5 Nilesh Salunke

Nilesh Salunke was part of the Pro Kabaddi League in Season 3 and 4 with the Puneri Paltan and Telugu Titans respectively. He was an important part of the Titans side last campaign, especially as star man Rahul Chaudhari was unavailable for most games owing to injury woes.

In 22 matches so far, Salunke has 71 raid points including one super 10. He was picked up at the auction by the Titans for a hefty Rs 49 lakh amount and will shoulder the major raiding duties with Chaudhari.

#4 Navneet Gautam

Navneet (left) was Jaipur’s captain in season one

A title winner with the Jaipur Pink Panthers in season 1, defender Navneet Gautam returns to the Pink City for the league’s fifth edition as well. A towering figure in the Jaipur defense for the first three seasons, he made the left corner his own.

It was no surprise to see the Pink Panthers think tank, including Abhishek Bachchan, bid aggressively for the Rajasthan man. He was eventually snapped up for Rs 24 lakhs, which is surely a bargain.

#3 Shabeer Bappu

Shabeer (blue) will return to U Mumba

Shabeer Bappu is the answer to quite a fascinating piece of Pro Kabaddi trivia. With four seasons done and dusted, he remains the only player to have featured in all four finals so far. He was part of the U Mumba side that reached three finals in the first three campaigns, winning one is Season 2.

In season 4, Bappu had to suffice with yet another runners-up finish as he was part of the Jaipur side that lost to Patna in the final. This year, he will make his return with U Mumba once again, after being bought for Rs 45 lakh. Will he make it five finals in a row?

#2 Jasvir Singh

Jasveer Singh will play for Jaipur for the fifth season running

Jasvir is one of the best raiders in the business and was a key component of the Jaipur Pink Panthers side that reached two finals. His famed scorpion kicks are a marvel to behold and he was part of the India side that lifted the kabaddi World Cup last year.

However, he was part of the auction pool as he was not retained by the Pink Panthers and wasn’t picked up as a priority pick by either of the new franchises. In the auction though, Jaipur picked him up and he will now look to form a formidable partnership with Manjeet Chhillar.

#1 Rohit Kumar

Rohit Kumar returns to the Bulls for Rs 81 lakh

An unstoppable raider on his day, Rohit Kumar started his Pro Kabaddi career with the Patna Pirates in season 3 before moving to the Bengaluru Bulls in the next campaign. However, his future was under a shadow of doubt after he was arrested last year following an alleged suicide by his wife.

Back in the auction pool for Season 5, Rohit garnered the second highest bid across the two days. He will return to the Bengaluru Bulls, who paid a whopping Rs 81 lakhs for his services.