₹5 Crore Purse, 300+ Players: Kabaddi Stars Set to Go Under the Hammer at KCL Auction

Indian kabaddi stars Naveen Goyat, Sunil Malik and Ayan Lochab will be among the biggest attractions at the Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) Season 2 auction on Saturday, as 10 franchises prepare to compete for talent from a pool of more than 300 players with a combined purse of ₹5 crore.

The auction will be crucial in shaping the teams for the upcoming season, with franchises expected to target a mix of established performers and promising young players. The addition of two new teams, Kurukshetra Knights and Jhajjar Jaguars, takes the league's total number of franchises to 10, expanding opportunities for players to make their mark.

Sunil Malik, who captained India at the Asian Games, is among the most prominent names available for selection. Naveen Goyat and Ayan Lochab, who was part of India's Asian Games squad, are also expected to attract considerable attention from franchises.

The list of players to watch includes Ankit Jaglan and Jaideep Dahiya, who have also been associated with India's Asian Games squad. Other notable names include Meetu Sharma, Neeraj Narwal, Yogesh Dahiya, Vijay Malik, Surjeet Narwal and Nitin Dhankar.

With a wide pool of players and a fixed budget, franchises will need to make strategic choices, balancing experience, consistency and emerging talent while assembling competitive squads. The auction could also open new doors for players seeking greater recognition and a bigger role in the sport.

Goyat said the league offers players an important platform to showcase their abilities and compete at a high level. Malik highlighted how the growth of franchise-based kabaddi is creating fresh opportunities for players across the country, while Lochab said the competition could help players improve their skills and contribute to the sport's overall development.

With two additional franchises joining the competition, Season 2 is set to widen the league's reach. Saturday's auction will be the first major step in determining which teams can put together the strongest combinations ahead of the new campaign.