Fazel Atrachali becomes costliest buy ever in Pro Kabaddi League history

Fazel Atrachali, who went for an impressive Rs 1 crore, was among the three Iranian talents bought by U Mumbai in the Pro Kabaddi League auctions in Mumbai on Wednesday. Apart form Atrachali, the side also acquired the services of Abofazl Maghsodlouemahali and Hadi Tajik in the foreign players’ auction.

Iranian defender Atrachali, having a base price of Rs 30 lakh, sparked off a bidding war between Jaipur Pink Panthers and the Mumbai-based franchise. However, it was the latter who bagged Atrachali.

Gujarat Fortunegiants had the option to retain the Iranian but they declined to exercise the Final Bid Match (FBM) option. With this purchase, the Iranian also surpassed Nitin Tomar, who was till now the costliest buy in the league after being bagged by UP Yoddhas for Rs 93 lakhs in the previous year’s auctions.

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Later, the Mumbai based franchise snapped up Maghsodlouemahali and Tajik for Rs 21.75 lakh and Rs 11 lakh respectively. Atrachali’s compatriot Abozar Mohajermighani, who was the first foreign player to be auctioned, was taken by Telugu Titans for Rs 76 lakhs as the Fortunegiants once again refused to exercise their FBM option.

South Korean raider Jang Kun Lee was bought by Haryana Steelers for Rs 33 lakh. However, the Bengal Warriors utilised the FBM card to retain the 25-year-old. Bengal also signed Bangladesh’s left cover defender Ziaur Rahman for Rs 33.25 lakhs.

Rahman’s compatriot and raider Md Zakir Hossain went to Haryana Steelers for Rs 8.4 lakh.

Jaipur Pink Panthers showed interest in Iran’s Farhad Rahimi and had almost picked him for Rs 21.5 lakhs but Telugu Titans used the FBM option to retain the right-corner defender.

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Jaipur however, secured the services of South Korean Young Chang Ko and Kenya’s David Mosambayi after paying Rs 11.4 lakhs and Rs 10.2 lakhs respectively.

Gujarat signed their first player of the auction as they spent Rs 12 lakhs and Rs 17.2 lakhs to rope in Iran’s Hadi Oshtorak and South Korean Dong Geon Lee respectively.

While Patna Pirates bought South Korean all-rounder Taedeok Eom paying Rs 11.4 lakhs, another South Korean Dong Ju Hong was pocketed by Bengaluru Bulls for Rs 8 lakhs.

Nepal’s all-rounder Sanjay Shrestha was sold to Puneri Paltan for Rs 8 lakhs while South Korean Seaong Ryeol Kim went to UP Yoddhas for Rs 8.2 lakhs.