The inaugural player auction for the Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) Haryana Season 1, broadcast live by Doordarshan Sports, turned into an electrifying event filled with intense bidding wars and strategic team-building. Hosted by Kunal Salucha, the auction saw eight teams from major Haryana cities—Panipat Panthers, Bhiwani Bulls, Hisar Heroes, Rohtak Royals, Gurugram Gurus, Sonipat Stars, Karnal Kings, and Faridabad Fighters—compete to assemble their 14-player squads with a purse of ₹50 lakh each.
Auction Format and Rules
Players were divided into three categories: A (base price ₹3 lakh, increments of ₹20,000), B (₹1 lakh base, ₹10,000 increments), and C (₹50,000 base, ₹5,000 increments). Each team was required to select a minimum of 3 players from Category A, 3 from B, and 4 from C to ensure balanced rosters. The event emphasized Haryana’s deep kabaddi talent pool, with roles like raiders, defenders, covers, and all-rounders in high demand.
Record-Breaking Bids and Key Highlights
The auction was packed with drama, featuring several high-value acquisitions:
- Ayan Lochab (Category A, left raider): In a record-breaking frenzy, Sonipat Stars secured him for ₹18.4 lakh after fierce competition.
- Neeraj Narwal (Category A, right raider/all-rounder): Gurugram Gurus won the bidding at ₹9.6 lakh, praising his versatility as a captain-potential player.
- Ankit Jaglan (Category A, left corner): Panipat Panthers outbid Bhiwani Bulls to grab him for ₹9.8 lakh.
- Yogesh Dahiya (likely Category A/B, right corner): Faridabad Fighters picked him up for ₹9.2 lakh to bolster their defense.
- Milan Dahiya (Category B, right raider): Rohtak Royals clinched him for ₹4.7 lakh amid bids from Hisar Heroes.
Other notable deals included Rohit Nandal (₹4.6 lakh to Karnal Kings), Parvesh Malik (₹5.4 lakh to Bhiwani Bulls), and Navdeep Duhan (₹6.2 lakh to Sonipat Stars). Several players, such as Pami Bajad and Rakesh Rajesh, went unsold, adding to the unpredictability.
Team Breakdowns and Strategies
Here’s a snapshot of how the teams shaped up in Phase 1:
- Panipat Panthers: Focused on defense with Ankit Jaglan (₹9.8 lakh), Sahil Deswal (₹3.3 lakh), Deepanshu Khatri (₹4.8 lakh), and Ashish Narwal (₹4.8 lakh). They emphasized economical buys to save for later phases.
- Gurugram Gurus: Built around Neeraj Narwal (₹9.6 lakh) as an all-rounder, adding defenders like Mohit Deshwal and Himanshu (₹3 lakh). They noted the need for a primary raider.
- Sonipat Stars: Splurged on Ayan Lochab (₹18.4 lakh) as their star raider, supported by defenders Navdeep Duhan (₹6.2 lakh) and Avi Dohan (₹3.6 lakh).
- Karnal Kings: Acquired Rohit Nandal (₹4.6 lakh) and Ashish Malik (₹4.4 lakh), prioritizing all-rounders but still seeking a top raider.
- Faridabad Fighters: Strengthened defense with Yogesh Dahiya (₹9.2 lakh), Ankit (₹6 lakh), and young talents like Sunny (₹1 lakh).
- Bhiwani Bulls: Went for value picks like Hitesh (₹7 lakh), Parvesh Malik (₹5.4 lakh), and Naveen Rawal (₹1.3 lakh) for a solid defensive line.
- Hisar Heroes: Snagged Ankit Dahiya (₹4 lakh) and Sahil Narwal (₹1.6 lakh), with purse remaining for big Category A targets.
- Rohtak Royals: Highlighted Milan Dahiya (₹4.7 lakh) and Rakesh Sinroha (₹7.2 lakh), balancing raiders and defenders.
Expert Insights and Post-Auction Buzz
Post-auction discussions featured experts like Sunil Taneja and Rajesh Narwal analyzing picks. Fitness influencer Ankit Bai Puria shared his wrestling background and enthusiasm for kabaddi, even expressing interest in raiding. Coach Ravindra Pahal of Karnal Kings discussed his shift from player to mentor, highlighting technique similarities between wrestling and kabaddi.
The event teased big names for future phases, including Nitin Rawal and Sandeep Narwal, building hype for the league’s start.
Looking Ahead
With Phase 1 setting the stage for competitive squads, the KCL Haryana Season 1 promises to showcase the state’s kabaddi prowess. Fans are eagerly awaiting the matches, where these star-studded teams will clash on the mat. Stay tuned for more updates!
