Pro Kabaddi League 2019: 5 most expensive players of this year - Number one struggles to make mark

Pro Kabaddi League 2019: The seventh season of PKL started with a bang on Saturday as Fazel Atrachali led U Mumba defeated the Telugu Titans led by his Iranian teammate Abozar Mohajermighani. The clash that was supposed to be between Mumba's defense and Titans' new-look attack, finished at 31-25 in favour of the Mumbai side. During the match, all eyes were on Siddharth Desai who switched from Mumba to Titans this year, becoming the most expensive player of the auction, after a dream season last year where he registered 221 points. As the season moves on, here is a look at the five most expensive players of this year and what they offer in the Pro Kabaddi League.

1. Siddharth Sirish Desai – Rs 1.45 Crore

Desai became the second-most expensive player in PKL history, second to Monu Goyat who was picked up for Rs 1.51 crore bid last year. He was roped in by the Telugu Titans for a whopping Rs 1.45 Crore to replace raid machine Rahul Chaudhari who left the side to join Tamil Thalaivas after six years. Desai had become the fastest in the tournament’s history to reach 50 raid points and then equalled the record to 100 raid points last year. 

2. Nitin Tomar – Rs 1.20 Crore

One of the most consistent performers in the Pro Kabaddi League, Tomar struggled last year due to injuries. He was retained by Puneri Paltan for a massive Rs 1.20 crore by using their FBM card. Part of the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup winning Indian team, Tomar was the most expensive player in season 5 at Rs 93 lakh, and attracted a Rs 1.15 crore bid last season.

3. Rahul Chaudhari – Rs 94 Lakh

Chaudhari's dominance in PKL might have reduced with the emergence of Pardeep Narwal and Pawan Sehrawat, but he remains to be league’s all-time top scorer with 888 points in 101 PKL matches. This year he has been signed by the Tamil Thalaivas for Rs 94 lakh and the new season could mark Chaudhari's revival as he would a formidable attacking line up with his India captain Ajay Thakur and dynamic raider Shabeer Bapu. Not to forget, he will always have Manjeet Chhillar on the mat to guide him.

4. Monu Goyat – Rs 93 Lakh

Monu Goyat had made the headlines last year by fetching a bid of Rs 1.51 crore last year, becoming India’s most valuable non-cricketing sportsperson and the most expensive player in the history of the tournament. However, a disappointing campaign saw him released by Haryana Steelers. The all-rounder was bagged by the UP Yoddha for Rs 93 lakh.

5. Sandeep Narwal – Rs 89 Lakh

"The Beast" was bought by the U Mumba for Rs 89 lakh against his base price of Rs 30 lakh, forming a dream partnership in the defense with Iranian Fazel Atrachali. The duo set the mat on fire in the very first game of the season, earning four tackle points each. The 25-year-old has been a regular feature in the Indian side, and was part of the teams that won the World Cup in 2016, and the bronze at the 2018 Asian Games. With Surender Singh on cover, the trio forms the best defense of the league.