Pardeep Narwal, one of the biggest names in Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) history, went unsold on Day 1 of the PKL Season 12 auction held on May 31, 2025. The star raider, who played for the Bengaluru Bulls in the previous season, was listed under Domestic Players – Category B (Raiders) with a base price of Rs. 20 lakhs, but did not attract any bids from the twelve franchises during the opening day of the auction.
Context and Significance
- Pardeep Narwal is widely regarded as one of the greatest raiders in PKL history, holding the record for the highest number of raid points in the league’s history.
- His unsold status is considered a major shock, given his past performances and iconic status in the sport.
- He was one of only two players to go unsold among the 28 who went under the hammer on Day 1, the other being Sahil Gulia.
What Happens Next?
. The PKL 12 auction is a two-day event, with Day 2 scheduled for June 1, 2025, where over 500 players from Categories C and D will be up for bidding.
. There remains a possibility that Pardeep Narwal could be picked by a team on Day 2, as teams reassess their strategies and budgets.
“There remains a possibility that Pardeep Narwal could be picked by a team on Day 2, as teams reassess their strategies and budget.”
Major Achievements of Pardeep Narwal
Pardeep Narwal is widely regarded as one of the greatest raiders in kabaddi history, with a record-breaking career in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) and significant contributions to Indian kabaddi on the international stage. Below are his major achievements:
Most Raid Points in PKL History:
Pardeep is the all-time leading scorer in PKL, becoming the first player to cross 1700 and then 1800 raid points, setting new benchmarks for raiders in the league.
Most Points in a Single Season
In Season 5, he scored a record 369 points, the highest ever by any player in a single PKL season. He was 150 points ahead of the next best raider that year.
Most Points in a Single Raid
He set a PKL record by scoring 8 points in a single raid during an eliminator match against Haryana Steelers in Season 5—a feat that remains unmatched.
Most Super 10s
Pardeep has amassed 88 Super 10s (scoring 10 or more raid points in a match), the highest in league history, showcasing his consistency and dominance over multiple seasons.
First to Multiple Milestones:
- First player to reach 1000, 1500, 1700, and 1800 raid points in PKL history.
- First and only player to score more than 1500 raid points in his PKL career
Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards:
Pardeep is the only player to have been named PKL’s Most Valuable Player in two consecutive seasons (Seasons 4 and 5).
PKL Titles
He led the Patna Pirates to a historic hat-trick of PKL titles, winning three consecutive championships in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
International Achievements
- Kabaddi World Cup Champion (2016): Member of the Indian team that won the Kabaddi World Cup.
- Asian Kabaddi Championship Gold (2017): Helped India secure gold at the Asian Kabaddi Championship.
- Kabaddi Masters Dubai Champion (2018): Part of the Indian squad that clinched the title.
- Asian Games Bronze Medalist (2018): Won a bronze medal with the Indian team at the 2018 Asian Games.
Pardeep Narwal’s achievements have not only set statistical records but have also transformed the landscape of professional kabaddi, making him a true icon of the sport.
Summary
Pardeep Narwal’s unsold status on Day 1 is one of the most talked-about developments of the PKL 12 auction, and all eyes will be on Day 2 to see if any team makes a move for the legendary raider.
