Pro Kabaddi League Big Buys Deepak and Rishank Speak to The Quint

Exclusive: Deepak Hooda and Rishank Devadiga spoke to The Quint after Day 1 of the Pro Kabaddi League auction.

Pro Kabaddi League: Deepak Hooda and Rishank Devadiga spoke to The Quint after Day 1 of the PKL auction.

(Photo: The Quint)

Six players created history by crossing the Rs 1 crore mark on Day 1 of Pro Kabaddi League auction on Wednesday with Monu Goyat getting the highest bid of Rs 1.51 crore from Haryana Steelers.

Iran's Fazel Atrachali became the first player in PKL history to cross the Rs one crore mark as he was fetched by U Mumba.

Deepak Hooda became the first Indian player in PKL's history to join the ‘crorepati' club after Jaipur Pink Panthers bought him for a whopping Rs 1.15 crore. Rahul Chaudhari emerged as the second highest bid player, bid by Delhi, but was retained by Telegu Titans through the ‘Final Bid Match’ for Rs 1.29 crore.

Firstly, I want to thank Jaipur Pink Panthers for believing in me and making such a high bid for me. I was mostly nervous earlier but now I am excited and happy but the responsibility on me also has increased as I want to now do better than I have in previous seasons.

Deepak Hooda to The Quint

Nitin Tomar (1.15 crore by Puneri Paltans) and Rishank Devadiga (1.11 crore by UP Yodha) also crossed the Rs one-crore in the auction.

Rahul Chaudhari expressed happiness at being retained by Telugu Titans.

"I am glad to be back to Telugu Titans. I have started my training and am looking forward to this season. It is a growing period for kabaddi and I think by the time the younger generation steps into the auctions, the bid may start at 6-7 crores. Kabaddi is only going to grow," said Chaudhari.

The auction will continue on Thursday, the final day.