Pro Kabaddi League 2024: Retention dilemmas and FBM card strategies for PKL 11 player auction

The much anticipated Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 11 player auction is scheduled for 15th and 16th August. The PKL 2024 auction will be a sought-after event as some of the biggest stars of Kabaddi will be available for grabs. Teams have already prepared their plans and strategies, and they have also released player retention lists.

Three-time PKL champion Patna Pirates have released a player retention list and shocked the world by not retaining Sachin Tanwar and Krishan Dhull. For the PKL 11 player auction, Pirates have only one Final Bid Match (FBM) card and can use it on Sachin or Krishan. As a result of this, the Pirates won’t have control of one of their main players. 

If the Patna Pirates lose their right-corner defender, Krishan Dhull, then they might go after Shubham Shinde as he is also a right-corner defender. And if they lose their star raider Sachin Tanwar, then they may acquire the services of Pawan Sehrawat, Pardeep Narwal, or Maninder Singh.

Gujarat Giants, the teams that have reached the final of the tournament several times but failed to get their hands on the coveted trophy. The Giants have released their two corner defenders, Fazel Atrachali and Sombir. They have also released one of their prominent raiders, Sonu Jaglan. Besides these players, Mohammad Nabibaksh is another great all-rounder who has been released by the Giants. 

With only one FBM card, the Gujarat Giants are poised to lose their pivotal players. If they lose Fazel Atrachali, then Mohammadreza Shadlou will be their first-choice defender for the left-corner. For the right corner, if they lose Sombir, then the Giants might seek the services of Shubham Shinde or Krishan Dhull. 

Under the guidance of head coach Ram Mehar Singh, the franchise may look to acquire the services of ‘Dubki King’ Pardeep Narwal, as their synergy has helped the Patna Pirates win the PKL title.

Meanwhile, the PKL season 7 winner, Bengal Warriors has planned their strategy for PKL 2024. They have released their star raider Maninder Singh and Shrikant Jadhav. Additionally, they have also released right-corner defender Shubham Shinde, who has performed consistently for the Warriors in PKL 10. 

With just one FBM card, Bengal Warriors may look to use it on either ‘Mighty Mani’ or Shubham Shinde. If they lose Maninder Singh, then the Warriors might look to buy Pawan Sehrawat, Pardeep Narwal, or Bharat Hooda. On the other hand, if they lose Shubham Shinde, then they might go after Krishan Dhull, Sombir, or Sahul Kumar.

The player auction for PKL 11 is just around the corner and it will be interesting to see how the franchises will plan their strategy to build a team worthy of winning the trophy.