Kabaddi bids big as KCL auction throws the mat wide open

MUMBAI: When the hammer fell, dreams rose. The inaugural player auction of the Kabaddi Champions League on 28 December 2025 turned anticipation into action, with all eight franchises assembling their squads in a high-stakes night that saw 128 players snapped up for the league’s debut season.

More than a bidding war, the evening unfolded as a statement of intent. Every raise of the paddle carried ambition: coaches sketching strategies, franchises betting on belief, and athletes graduating from local akharas to the big stage.

The headline grabber was Bhiwani Bulls, who made the highest bid of the night at Rs 19.2 lakh to secure right raider Devank Dalal, backing him with a strong supporting cast including Pravesh Malik (Rs 5.4 lakh), Hitesh Kadian (Rs 7 lakh) and Deepak Singh (Rs 5.6 lakh). Close behind, Sonipat Stars locked in left raider Ayan Lochab for Rs 18.4 lakh, signalling their intent to build around a proven spine.

Faridabad Fighters went all-in on flair, making Jaideep Dahiya their marquee pick at Rs 17.4 lakh, while Karnal Kings placed faith in Sunil Malik at Rs 14.2 lakh, rounding out a roster tilted towards youth and upside. Hisar Heroes added firepower with Ashu Malik at Rs 12.2 lakh, supported by a solid mix of defenders and all-rounders.

Further down the board, Panipat Panthers opted for balance with all-rounder Ankit Jaglan at Rs 9.8 lakh, Gurugram Gurus invested Rs 9.6 lakh in right raider Neeraj Narwal, and Rohtak Royals topped their list with Vijay Malik at Rs 9.4 lakh, completing a night where strategy trumped sentiment.

Beyond the numbers, the auction underlined what this league aims to be, a platform where journeys matter as much as raids. As one owner put it, every bid was “a vote of confidence in a person, not just a position”.

With squads now locked and rivalries quietly taking shape, the Kabaddi Champions League moves from the auction room to the mat where every tackle will echo the faith placed on this defining night.