Ayan Lochab Tops KCL Season 2 Auction at Rs 17.4 Lakh
Ayan Lochab tops the Kabaddi Champions League Season 2 auction at Rs 17.4 lakh. See the full list of top buys and franchise picks.
The stage is set for an exhilarating return of the Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) Season 2, and the auction has delivered plenty of drama. In a high-stakes bidding war, Ayan Lochab emerged as the most expensive player of the event, securing a massive bid of Rs 17.4 lakh. The Jhajjar Jaguars clinched the top talent, signaling their intent to dominate the upcoming season.
The Big Spenders: Top Auction Picks
The auction saw franchises aggressively pursuing established stars to bolster their squads. While Ayan Lochab took the top spot, several other high-profile players commanded significant prices:
- Bharat Hooda: Joined the Karnal Kings for Rs 16.6 lakh.
- Naveen Goyat: Acquired by the Kurukshetra Knights for Rs 15.2 lakh.
- Rakesh Singroha: Picked up by the Faridabad Fighters for Rs 11 lakh.
- Sumit Sangwan: Joined the Sonipat Stars for Rs 10.2 lakh.
- Sunil Malik: The former Indian captain at the Asian Games joined the Faridabad Fighters for Rs 10 lakh.
Rounding Out the Top 10
The bidding continued to be intense as teams filled their rosters with quality raiders and defenders. Yogesh Dahiya joined the Faridabad Fighters for Rs 9.2 lakh, while Neeraj Narwal was snapped up by the Rohtak Royals for Rs 8.6 lakh. Mohit Goyat and Jaideep Dahiya both landed with the Sonipat Stars, fetching Rs 8.4 lakh and Rs 8.2 lakh respectively.
Voices from the Mat
The players expressed a mix of pride and determination following their acquisitions. Ayan Lochab, the auction's highest-paid star, shared his excitement:
“Being the highest-paid player at the KCL Season 2 auction is a proud moment for me. I am grateful to the Jhajjar Jaguars for showing faith in my abilities. I look forward to giving my best on the mat and helping the team achieve its goals.”
Bharat Hooda echoed this sentiment, stating that the confidence shown by the Karnal Kings motivates him to work harder, while Naveen Goyat highlighted the KCL as a vital platform for players to showcase their talent at a high level.
Sunil Malik, bringing veteran leadership to the Faridabad Fighters, noted that the rise of franchise-based kabaddi is opening doors for athletes across the country and hopes to inspire the next generation of players.
League Growth and Massive Interest
The scale of the KCL Season 2 auction reflects the growing popularity of the sport. With a total player purse of ₹5 crore, more than 300 players were expected to be auctioned. The interest wasn't limited to established stars; the league's central trials saw an overwhelming response from aspiring athletes.
The numbers speak for themselves: Sonipat recorded a staggering 6,400 registrations, while the Rohtak trials saw 650 participants. This surge in interest underscores the opportunity the league provides for emerging talent to break into the professional circuit.
Adding to the excitement, the second season also introduces two new franchises, further expanding the competitive landscape of the league.