PKL Season 11 sets a new record with the highest number of crorepatis in the league's history.

Mumbai (Maharashtra), August 16 : Sachin Tanwar became the most expensive player on Day 1 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 11 Player Auction in Mumbai, fetching Rs 2.15 crore from Tamil Thalaivas.

Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh was the highest-priced foreign player, bought by Haryana Steelers for Rs 2.07 crore. He made history as the first foreign player to be acquired for over Rs 2 crore in consecutive auctions, according to a PKL release.

The auction saw a record number of players joining the 1 crore club. In total, 20 players were sold to 12 franchise teams, with 3 Final Bid Match (FBM) cards being utilized. Bengal Warriorz, Telugu Titans, and Gujarat Giants used their FBM cards for Maninder Singh, Pawan Sehrawat, and Sombir, respectively.

This season's auction set a new record for the most players in the 1 crore club in PKL history. Notable players include Sachin, Mohammadreza Shadloui Chiyaneh, Guman Singh, Pawan Sehrawat, Bharat, Maninder Singh, Ajinkya Pawar, and Sunil Kumar. Sunil Kumar, who was bought by U Mumba for Rs 1.015 crore, became the most expensive Indian defender ever.

Pardeep Narwal, the player with the most raid points in PKL history, was acquired by Bengaluru Bulls for Rs 70 lakh. Veteran defender Surjeet Singh was purchased by Jaipur Pink Panthers for Rs 60 lakh.

Anupam Goswami, League Commissioner of Pro Kabaddi League, remarked, "It was absolutely riveting to watch multiple records being broken in the PKL Season 11 Player Auction. We are filled with pride to see 8 players cross the 1 crore mark today and Sunil become the most expensive Indian defender ever. The exciting buys will continue on day 2, and we are eagerly waiting for the action to unfold."

Regarding his return to Bengaluru Bulls, Pardeep Narwal said, "It feels really good to go back to the team I started with in my PKL journey. I'm looking forward to playing with the young players on the Bulls side and hope to cross 1800 raid points in my career."

Maninder Singh, returning to Bengal Warriorz for Rs 1.15 crore, expressed, "I am very happy to be back. I will aim to perform even better than last season. Bengal Warriorz has always been like family to me, and I have played with them for 6 years, so I am thrilled to return."