PKL 2018: Deepak Niwas Hooda Becomes The Most Expensive Player In PKL History

The ongoing auction for the sixth edition of the Pro Kabaddi League is just getting better and better with every passing moment. The auction kick-started on a bang with Iranian defender Fazel Atrachali becoming the first player to bag a deal worth Rs 1 crore.

U Mumba secured his services for a whopping cost of Rs 1 crore. Atrachali had starred for Gujarat Fortune Giants last year, helping the team enter the final.

The Iranian star became the first player to be bought for Rs 1 crore in the history of the Pro Kabaddi League Auctions. The record of being the most expensive player previously belonged to Nitin Tomar. UP Yoddha had snapped him for Rs 93 lakh in last year’s auction.

Well, his record lasted only for a few moments as Deepak Niwas Hooda broke Atrachali’s record as the most expensive player in the history of the league.

Jaipur Pink Panthers secured Hooda’s services for a record price of Rs 1 crore 15 lakhs. Hooda had played for Puneri Paltan last year and the franchise could have secured his services. However, the Pune-based franchise refused to exercise their Final Bid Match card.

Hooda also became the first Indian to be bought for Rs 1 crore.  Starting from a base price of Rs 20 lakh, Hooda saw heavy bidding from Dabang Delhi, Haryana Steelers and Jaipur Pink Panthers before the Jaipur-based franchise won the race.

“I didn’t expect such a high bid but when Fazel Atrazchali was sold for Rs 1 crore I did think my bid would be high. There are also new responsibilities now and I have to improve my performance. I can’t say for sure but I will try my best to do well and help the team win the trophy this time round,” Hooda said after getting the deal.