Pardeep Narwal goes unsold in PKL 2025 auction: Fans compare the 'Dubki King' to Kohli and Dhoni, say 'he made Kabaddi famous'
Pardeep Narwal, the legendary "Dubki King," went unsold in the PKL 2025 auction, leaving fans heartbroken and questioning the league¡¯s direction. Many compared his legacy to Kohli and Dhoni, calling it the end of an era in kabaddi.
In a twist that stunned both seasoned fans and casual viewers alike, Pardeep Narwal, widely regarded as the face of modern kabaddi, went unsold in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2025 auction that took place from May 31 to June 1. The league that once thrived on his explosive raids and unforgettable comebacks now faces a major identity shift as one of its most iconic players bows out without a team. For fans, this was more than just a snub ¡ª it felt like a chapter closing on one of kabaddi¡¯s greatest stories.
Pardeep Narwal goes unsold in PKL 2025 auction
THE LEGEND REMAINS UNSOLD IN PKL 12 ?
¡ª The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) June 1, 2025
- Most successful raider of Pro Kabbadi League History Pardeep Narwal didn't get any bids!
IT'S THE END OF AN ERA FOR ALL PKL FANS ? pic.twitter.com/JcuKdGexl9
Despite being one of the most decorated and impactful players in PKL history, no franchise placed a bid for Pardeep Narwal during the 2025 auction. The silence when his name came up was deafening. Whether due to team strategies, fitness concerns, or a shift toward younger talent, the absence of any interest in the former raiding machine left many questioning the direction of the league. For a player who once commanded record-breaking fees, the sudden drop to zero bids felt almost surreal.
The legacy of Pardeep Narwal in PKL history
Known as the ¡°Dubki King,¡± Pardeep Narwal rewrote the history books in PKL. He was the first player to cross 1,000 raid points and delivered iconic performances season after season. His most legendary moment came in Season 5 when he scored 34 raid points in a single match ¡ª a record that still stands.
He helped Patna Pirates lift the trophy for three consecutive seasons and built a legacy as one of the most dangerous raiders the league has ever seen. After his incredible five-season run with Patna, he joined the UP Yoddhas in Season 8 and most recently played for the Bengaluru Bulls. Though his last four seasons didn't place him among the top five raiders in terms of points, his impact on the sport was never just about numbers. Known as the ¡°Dubki King,¡± Pardeep became the face of the league and brought an entire generation of fans into the sport.
Fans mourn the snub: 'This is the end of the greatest individual career'
So when he went unsold in the 2025 auction, disbelief turned into heartbreak across social media.
One fan posted, "Messi, Ronaldo, Tendulkar, AB de Villiers, and Kohli all had great primes, but none of them came close to Pardeep Narwal¡¯s prime."
Messi, Ronaldo, Tendulkar, AB de Villiers, and Kohli all had great primes, but none of them came close to Pardeep Narwal¡¯s prime.
¡ª ? (@LolzZztweetz) May 31, 2025
Absolute flawless primepic.twitter.com/RGAQoZO0gp
Another wrote, "People who haven¡¯t watched kabaddi have no idea how great he was. Nerves of steel and pure clutch ¨C farewell, Pardeep Narwal."
People who haven¡¯t watched Kabaddi have no idea how great he was.
¡ª purple Indie (@DarwinTshirt) June 1, 2025
Nerves of steel and pure clutch - farewell, Pardeep Narwal. pic.twitter.com/fZGWZe3LYj
"After years of cheering for Pro Kabaddi, Anup Kumar, U Mumba & Pardeep, I'm retiring as a fan," shared one longtime viewer. "PKL won't be the same without you. My GOAT, Pardeep Narwal. I started watching kabaddi because of you," another added.
After years of cheering for Pro Kabaddi, Anup Kumar, U Mumba & Pardeep, I'm retiring as a fan. Pardeep Narwal's shocking snub in the auction has left me heartbroken. It's time to move on from the sport I loved.#PKLAuctionBlockbuster #PKL #PardeepNarwal pic.twitter.com/BEdhqNqeTE
¡ª ???????? (@ViperVijay45) June 1, 2025
The outrage was not limited to X. Some fans also took to Instagram to express shock. A video posted on Instagram featuring internet personality Sunil Taneja has also gone viral, where he talks about Pardeep¡¯s influence on the game and how his presence shaped the league into what it is today.
Taneja reflects on Pardeep¡¯s enormous impact on the sport and compares him to cricketing legends like Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He, too, expressed disbelief over Pardeep being left out of the season.
The comments section of the video also saw fans expressing their shock, with one writing, "Pardeep Narwal made Kabaddi famous," one fan wrote. Another commented, "He was my childhood hero." A third simply said, "He¡¯ll always be our hero."
Meanwhile, at the 2025 PKL auction, Mohammadreza Shadloui once again commanded a price tag north of ?2 crore. This time, it was the Gujarat Giants who picked him up for ?2.35 crore, securing one of the league¡¯s most impactful all-rounders.
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