Mohammadreza Chiyaneh rewrites record books as most expensive all-rounder in PKL history

Players who can contribute to a team in more ways than one are invaluable to teams across sports and kabaddi is no different. Having a solid all-rounder in one’s team can go a long way towards determining the fortunes of the team as they can contribute in a variety of ways besides also adding to the overall balance of a team.

In the Pro Kabaddi Season 10 Player Auction, we saw some big all-rounders who were in huge demand thanks to their versatility on the mat. They drew massive bids from franchises and will be the big additions to their respective squads ahead of PKL Season 10. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the top all-rounders who were the most expensive buys at the Player Auction.

Most expensive all-rounders at Pro Kabaddi Season 10 Player Auction

Mohammadreza Chiyaneh | Puneri Paltan | ₹ 2.35 crore

Mohammadreza Chiyaneh has been one of the most consistent all-rounders since his Pro Kabaddi debut. He has always been an aggressor on the mat and has dominated opponents, especially in defence. In his two PKL seasons with Patna Pirates, Chiyaneh amassed a whopping 173 tackle points. He managed 89 tackle points in Season 8 to finish as the league’s best defender and followed it up with 84 tackle points last year. Scorer of the most tackle points (16) in a single PKL match, Chiyaneh joining Puneri Paltan for a whopping ₹ 2.35 crore after a fierce bidding war wasn’t much of a surprise at the Season 10 Player Auction. His performances have thoroughly warranted him becoming the most expensive foreign player in PKL history.

Vijay Malik | U.P. Yoddhas | ₹ 85 lac

Vijay Malik is an experienced player who knows how to get the job done on both ends of the mat for his team. Part of Pro Kabaddi since Season 5, Vijay Malik has proven his ability to defend as well as raid and his overall tally of 366 raid points and 77 tackle points is a testament to that. After missing the first half of Season 9, he looked very impressive on his PKL return during the second half of the campaign, finishing with 74 raid points and eight tackle points for Dabang Delhi K.C.. As a result, he sparked off a bidding war for his services at the Player Auction and eventually joined U.P. Yoddhas for ₹ 85 lac ahead of Season 10.

Amirmohammad Zafardanesh | U Mumba | ₹ 68 lac

The young Iranian sensation grabbed the limelight at the Player Auction after he became the most expensive player to go under the hammer on Day 2. His performances in the Asian Games for Iran didn’t go unnoticed as he became the most expensive player from Category C at the Season 10 Player Auction. Many PKL franchises were involved in an intense bidding war for the young all-rounder and it was U Mumba who eventually signed Zafardanesh for ₹ 68 lac. 

Rohit Gulia | Gujarat Giants | ₹ 58.50 lac

Season 10 will witness Rohit Gulia returning to where he started his Pro Kabaddi journey after Gujarat Giants secured his services for the new campaign courtesy of a ₹ 58.50 lac bid. The experienced all-rounder has been among the top domestic players ever since his PKL debut in Season 5 and is capable of excelling in defence as well as attack. He has played three seasons for the Giants in the past and has enjoyed some of his best individual displays with the team. His form in the previous edition of PKL where he earned a total of 148 points made the Giants re-sign Rohit for the upcoming season.

Ankit | Patna Pirates| ₹ 31.50 lac

Ankit who will be making his first appearance in one of kabaddi’s grandest stages in PKL Season 10 became the most expensive all-rounder from Category D. The youngster was bought by Patna Pirates after a bidding war with other teams. He can prove to be a surprise package for the opposition and will be a useful addition for the three-time champions who spent ₹ 31.50 lac to secure his services.