The Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) marked a major milestone on December 28, 2025, as all eight franchises completed their squads at the league's first-ever player auction in Gurugram, setting the stage for an eagerly awaited inaugural season. A total of 128 players were picked on the night, with franchises making bold investments to assemble competitive and balanced line-ups.
More than just bids and numbers, the auction reflected ambition, belief and long journeys-players rising from local akharas and state circuits now stepping onto a professional league platform, backed by teams willing to invest in their potential.
KCL Auction: Big Bids and Standout Picks
The auction saw several marquee names draw intense bidding, with franchises identifying players they believe can become match-winners
on the mat.
Bhiwani Bulls stole the spotlight with the highest bid of the auction, securing experienced right raider Devank Dalal for ₹19.2 lakh. They further strengthened their squad with Pravesh Malik (₹5.4 lakh), Hitesh Kadian (₹7 lakh) and Deepak Singh (₹5.6 lakh).
Sonipat Stars built their core around left raider Ayan Lochab, snapped up for ₹18.4 lakh, the second-highest bid of the evening, alongside Mohit Kaushik (₹3.7 lakh) and Navdeep Duhan (₹6.2 lakh).
Faridabad Fighters placed their faith in Jaideep Dahiya at ₹17.4 lakh, backing him with Yogesh Dahiya (₹9.2 lakh), Ghanshyam Roka Magar (₹2 lakh) and Ankit Jaglan (₹6.6 lakh).
Karnal Kings made Sunil Malik their marquee signing at ₹14.2 lakh, while also adding promising talents such as Surender Gill (₹7.4 lakh) and Akshit Dhull (₹4.4 lakh).
Hisar Heroes went after right raider Ashu Malik for ₹12.2 lakh, surrounding him with a strong supporting cast that included Nitesh Kumar (₹7 lakh), Surjeet Singh (₹7.6 lakh) and Saurabh Nandal (₹4.8 lakh).
Panipat Panthers strategically invested in all-rounder Ankit Jaglan at ₹9.8 lakh, supported by Narender Kandola (₹7.2 lakh) and Meetu Sharma (₹7 lakh).
Gurugram Gurus showed confidence in right raider Neeraj Narwal, acquiring him for ₹9.6 lakh, while adding balance with Sanjay Dhull (₹3.4 lakh).
Rohtak Royals topped their bidding with Vijay Malik at ₹9.4 lakh, followed by key additions such as Rakesh Singroha (₹7.2 lakh) and Sandeep Deswal (₹6 lakh).
Beyond the Numbers
While the bidding figures grabbed attention, the deeper sentiment of the evening lay in the players' stories. Many of those selected have climbed the ranks through grassroots competitions, and the auction represented validation of years of effort and sacrifice.
One franchise owner summed up the mood by saying, "Every bid we placed was a vote of confidence-not just in skill, but in a player's journey and dream. " Another added that the auction was about "building hope, ambition and community pride. "
The Road Ahead
As the auction concluded and rosters took shape, a sense of anticipation filled the room. Coaches walked away with clear strategies, players with renewed belief, and franchises with squads ready to compete.
With teams now locked in, the Kabaddi Champions League is set to move from planning to action-where every raid, tackle and bonus point will echo the faith placed on players during a memorable auction night that signalled the league's arrival on the kabaddi landscape.
