Pro Kabaddi Season 12 FBM retention totals 14 players: who stayed and for how long

The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 12 auction introduced a significant change with the revised Final Bid Match (FBM) rule, enabling franchises to retain released players by matching their final auction bid price.

This season, 14 players were retained using the FBM option, with five players reacquired for two seasons and nine players retained for one season each. This rule has added a strategic layer to team compositions, allowing franchises to secure key players without entering a full auction battle.

For example, PKL Season 8 champions Dabang Delhi K.C. exercised their FBM option to retain star raider Ashu Malik for INR 1.90 crore for two seasons. Similarly, Patna Pirates, three-time PKL winners, used their FBM card to bring back right cover Deepak Singh for INR 86 lakh for two seasons.

The auction itself saw a large pool of talent, with 529 players going under the hammer and 121 being sold, highlighting the competitive nature of the league.

The FBM rule's introduction is seen as a way to maintain team stability and fan engagement by allowing franchises to retain their core players while still participating in the dynamic auction process.

This blend of retention and fresh talent acquisition is expected to make Season 12 highly competitive and exciting for fans and teams alike.

In Pro Kabaddi Season 12, 14 players were retained through the new Final Bid Match (FBM) rule, allowing franchises to reacquire released players for one or two seasons by matching their final auction price. Five players were retained for two seasons, while nine were retained for one season each.