Who Are the Key Players Retained for PKL?
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Synopsis
The excitement is building as the Pro Kabaddi League prepares for its 12th season. Key players have been retained, and with the auction just around the corner, fans are eager to see how franchises will strengthen their teams. Dive into the details of the retained players and what’s at stake in the upcoming auction!
Key Takeaways
- 83 players retained across three categories.
- Key players like Sunil Kumar and Jaideep Dahiya are back.
- A total salary cap of Rs 5 crore per franchise.
- Naveen Kumar enters the auction with over 1100 Raid Points.
- Auction scheduled for May 31 and June 1.
Mumbai, May 17 (NationPress) The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has officially revealed the list of ‘Elite Retained Players’, ‘Retained Young Players’, and ‘New Young Players’ for its 12th season, with the auction scheduled to occur on May 31 and June 1 in Mumbai.
While many franchises have decided to keep their star players, there is a strong focus on enhancing their teams during the upcoming PKL Season 12 Player Auction.
Among the prominent players retained by their teams are Sunil Kumar and Amirmohammad Zafardanesh (U Mumba), Jaideep Dahiya (Haryana Steelers), Surender Gill (UP Yoddhas), and the Puneri Paltan pair of Aslam Inamdar and Mohit Goyat.
A total of 83 players have been retained across three categories: 25 in the Elite Retained Players (ERP), 23 in the Retained Young Players (RYP), and 35 in the New Young Players (NYP).
More than 500 players, including well-known Indian athletes like Pawan Sehrawat, Arjun Deshwal, Ashu Malik, and the top raider from PKL 11, Devank Dalal, will be available for bidding. Iranian stars Fazel Atrachali and Mohammadreza Shadloui, along with seasoned PKL players Maninder Singh and Pardeep Narwal, are also set to participate in the PKL 12 auction.
Notably, star raider Naveen Kumar will enter the auction for the first time. The PKL 8 champion has amassed 1102 Raid Points for Dabang Delhi K.C. over six seasons, making him the first player in league history to achieve 1000+ points with a single team before entering the auction.
For the auction, players, both domestic and international, will be categorized into four groups: A, B, C, and D. Each category will further classify players as ‘All-Rounders’, ‘Defenders’, and ‘Raiders’. The base prices for each category are as follows: Category A: Rs 30 lakh, Category B: Rs 20 lakh, Category C: Rs 13 lakh, and Category D: Rs 9 lakh.
Each franchise will have a total salary cap of Rs 5 crore to build its squad.
Point of View
I believe that the retention of key players reflects the strategic approach of franchises in building competitive teams. The auction presents an intriguing opportunity for both seasoned and new players to make an impact in PKL Season 12. Our commitment is to provide you with unbiased and comprehensive coverage of this thrilling league.
NationPress
09/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the PKL Season 12 auction take place?
The auction is scheduled for May 31 and June 1 in Mumbai.
How many players were retained for Season 12?
A total of 83 players were retained across three categories.
Who are some of the notable players retained?
Notable players include Sunil Kumar, Jaideep Dahiya, Surender Gill, and Aslam Inamdar.
What is the total salary purse for each franchise?
Each franchise will have a total salary purse of Rs 5 crore.
Who is the first player to enter the auction with 1000+ points for a single team?
Naveen Kumar is the first player to achieve this milestone.
