PKL 10 Retention: Pawan in Pool, Pardeep Stays

August 9, 2023

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PKL 10 Retention: Pawan in Pool, Pardeep Stays

The impending Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) auctions have just received a boost of anticipation, as marquee players like Pawan Kumar Sehrawat and Mohammadreza Shadloui are poised to go into the auction pool to undergo the auction process. They are renowned as two of the most captivating talents in the world of kabaddi.

Pawan Kumar Sehrawat etched his name into PKL history by becoming the league’s most expensive player with a staggering bid of ₹2.26 crore. He has now been released from his contract with the Tamil Thalaivas. Mohammadreza Shadloui is one of the league’s premier defenders and has been let go by the Patna Pirates. The upcoming auction pool includes top-tier players such as Fazel Atrachali, Maninder Singh, Vikash Kandola, Mohammed Esmaeil Nabibakhsh, and Deepak Niwas Hooda.

In an unexpected turn, Pardeep Narwal, who had experienced a couple of ordinary seasons, was retained by the UP Yoddhas. Narwal is among the 84 players, including Naveen Kumar (Dabang Delhi), Aslam Inamdar (Puneri Paltan), and Bharat Hooda (Bengaluru Bulls), who have secured their places within the ranks of the 12 participating teams.

Set against PKL’s imminent tenth season, the auctions are scheduled for September 8 and 9. The commencement of the league anticipated after the Asian Games, ESPN offers insightful takeaways from the PKL’s retention list.

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Injury Setbacks and Strategic Choices: Pawan Kumar’s Journey with Tamil Thalaivas

In the preceding season, Pawan’s inaugural campaign with the Tamil Thalaivas ended when he sustained a knee injury within the first 10 minutes of the league’s opening match. This led to his removal from the field on a stretcher.

Following this setback, he underwent surgical intervention. He made a triumphant re-entry to the kabaddi arena earlier this year, displaying exceptional leadership as he guided India to victory and secured the gold medal at the Asian Kabaddi Championships.

The Thalaivas have decided to part ways with Pawan, who was a key player and served as their captain. This move contrasts with retaining him by paying an additional 15% of his auction fee. There is still a possibility to secure Pawan’s services via the Final Bid to Match card during the upcoming auctions.

This involves risk, with Pawan’s reputation likely inciting fierce bidding competition.

Shadloui Under the Spotlight

Shadloui entered the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) scene in Season 8, signing up with the Patna Pirates for a contract of ₹31 lakhs. As the new season approaches, there’s strong anticipation that bids for him will surge to at least five times that initial amount. Shadloui, the Iranian all-rounder, has showcased his exceptional skills within the PKL arena.

Notably, he emerged as the best defender in his debut season. He secured the second-best position in PKL Season 9 with an impressive 84 points, including a remarkable game where he scored 16. Shadloui’s versatility shines through his ability to defend and raid, a capability he demonstrated at the Asian Kabaddi Championships.

Unexpected Release of Fazel Raises Questions

Fazel is back in the auction pool after leading a young Puneri Paltan squad to the finals last season. Despite being acquired by the Puneri Paltan for ₹1.38 crore in the previous year and playing a pivotal role in their runner-up finish, the team has decided to release him. While Fazel’s performance might not be at its peak, his contributions go beyond statistics.

UP Yoddhas keep Faith in Pardeep’s Potential

Ever since Pardeep moved from Patna Pirates, the three-time champions, to UP Yoddhas for ₹1.65 crore in PKL8, his once-formidable performance has declined. Defenders have decoded his strategies, his agility on the mat has slightly waned, and his signature killer instinct appears to dim.

Although he made a comeback in the latter part of PKL9, finishing with a total of 220 points (ranking sixth), this is his second-lowest score across five seasons. In a strategic move, UP Yoddhas have also chosen to retain their secondary raider, Surender Gill. The team’s hope rests on Pardeep’s resurgence right from the start of the league rather than having his impact felt only after a significant portion of matches has passed.

Puneri Paltan Maintains Strong Raiding Unit, Naveen Continues with Dabang Delhi

While Puneri Paltan bid farewell to their Iranian players, they have maintained their array of raiders, including Aslam, Mohit Goyat, Akash Shinde, and Pankaj Mohite. This quartet exhibited exceptional synergy, contributing 96% of their raid points and 56% of their overall points in the previous season. With their raiding arsenal bolstered, Puneri Paltan is poised to shift their focus towards strengthening their defensive lineup through the upcoming auctions.

Following the example set by Puneri Paltan, Dabang Delhi has chosen to keep their star raider, Naveen Kumar, on their team. Despite facing challenges from back and knee injuries in the last season, Naveen made an impressive comeback, becoming the third-best raider in PKL9 with an impressive 254 raid points. Being a reliable and key player for Delhi’s team, it’s no surprise they decided to retain Naveen as they gear up for the upcoming season.