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Season 7 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is set to start from July this year and since the auctions which were held in the month of April, teams have already started their preparations for the tournament. Siddharth Desai was the costliest buy in the season 7 auctions, as he was brought by Telugu Titans for a whopping amount of ₹1.46 crores.
Pro Kabaddi League was started in 2014 with the aim of revolutionising the sport in India and other countries. The tournament has achieved its objective, as after 6 seasons, PKL is one of the most followed sporting tournaments in the country.
Naturally, the stakes and money involved have gone higher, and so is the fee paid to secure a player in the auctions. At this juncture, it would be interesting to go back to the Season 1 auctions and find out the top earners, and the money that was paid to secure them.
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On that note, here are the Top 4 buys of the Season 1 Auction
#4 Surjeet Narwal - Dabang Delhi (₹12.2 Lakhs)
Surjeet Narwal was picked up by Dabang Delhi for ₹12.2 Lakhs in the auctions of Season 1. The 29-year-old played as a lead raider of the Delhi squad in the first season, but in the later seasons of the PKL, Surjeet was not able to make an impact.
Injuries and inconsistent form hampered his performances, as Surjeet went on to play for Bengaluru Bulls and Bengal Warriors in the later seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League. Surjeet was also the captain of the Bengaluru Bulls in Season 3.
Although it is difficult to make a comeback in the current circumstances, Surjeet Narwal must now find a way to return to form.
#3 Ajay Thakur - Bengaluru Bulls (₹12.2 Lakhs)
The captain of the current Indian Team, Ajay Thakur has been a consistent performer in the Pro Kabaddi League for the last 6 seasons. The tall raider was one of the costliest buys in the Season 1 auction as he was purchased for ₹12.2 Lakhs by the Bengaluru Bulls.
Ajay Thakur stayed with the Bulls for the first two seasons, before joining the Puneri Paltan in Season 3. Ajay now plays for the Tamil Thalaivas and is also the captain of the squad.
Ajay played well for Bengaluru Bulls in the first two seasons and also helped the franchise reach the finals in Season 2. He forged a dangerous partnership with Manjeet Chhillar at the franchise, and the duo will now look to win their first ever trophy with the Tamil Thalaivas in Season 7.
#2 Deepak Niwas Hooda - Telugu Titans (₹12.6 Lakhs)
Deepak Niwas Hooda was the second costliest player in the Season 1 Auctions of the Pro Kabaddi League. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) player was purchased for ₹12.6 Lakhs by Telugu Titans in the auctions.
Deepak Niwas Hooda played 2 seasons for Telugu Titans before he left the franchise in 2016. Deepak has then played for teams like Puneri Paltan and Jaipur Pink Panthers in the Pro Kabaddi League.
Deepak is arguably the best all-rounder in the country has been one of the top-performers in the Pro Kabaddi League. The 24-year-old is a consistent part of the Indian team and is also a contender to be the captain of the Indian team in the future.
He will represent Jaipur in the upcoming season and will try to help his team secure it's second PKL title.
#1 Rakesh Kumar - Patna Pirates (₹12.8 Lakhs)
Rakesh Kumar is considered as one of the legends of the Indian National Kabaddi Team. He was the captain of the Indian Team in 2014 and had already achieved a lot in his career by then. Hence, Rakesh received the highest bid in the auctions as he was purchased by Patna Pirates for ₹12.8 Lakhs.
Primarily an all-rounder, Rakesh Kumar was known for his raiding and leadership skills. He was even conferred with the Arjuna Award for his contribution to the sport.
However, the veteran's season did not go according to expectations as he had to eventually quit the franchise after two seasons. He later played for U Mumba and Telugu Titans in the PKL.
Rakesh Kumar has retired from the sport now and is no longer a part of the PKL.
