The auction for the 2021 Pro Kabaddi League will be held between August 29-31. Ahead of the eighth season, a total of 59 players have been retained across three categories.
The Pro Kabaddi League 2021 is to happen this year after missing out last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ahead of the upcoming season, the auction would be taking place between August 29-31.
Meanwhile, 59 players have been retained by the franchises for the tournament. The retention includes three categories: Elite Retained Players (22), Retained Young Players (6) and New Young Players (31).
“Preserving the spirit of squad continuity and team dynamics, the VIVO Pro Kabaddi League has maintained its Player Retention Policy, benefitting players and teams alike. The excitement among viewers and fans this year is palpable, and we are confident of delivering a stellar Season 8 of the VIVO Pro Kabaddi League!” said PKL Commissioner Anupam Goswami in a release.
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Maninder Singh and Mohammed Esmaeil Nabibaksh have been preserved by defending champion Bengal Warriors among the retained players. While Bengaluru Bulls has maintained Pawan Kumar Sehrawat, Dabang Delhi has clutched Naveen Kumar.
The other top players to be retained are Fazel Atrachali (U Mumba), Parvesh Bhainswal (Gujarat Giants), Sunil Kumar (Gujarat Giants), Vikash Khandola (Haryana Steelers) and Nitesh Kumar (UP Yoddha). Meanwhile, players like Pardeep Narwal, Deepak Hooda, Rahul Chaudhari, Siddharth Desai and Rohit Kumar, who are fan-favourites, have entered the auction pool.
The date for the beginning of PKL 2021 is yet to be announced. Meanwhile, one can check out the complete list of retained players here, along with the entire list of released players here.
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