Star raider in the Indian kabaddi team and the Jaipur Pink Panthers franchise, Rahul Chaudhari announced retirement from the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) on Saturday, August 17. The raider, who featured in the 2024 edition of the league with Jaipur Pink Panthers, took to his Instagram handle to confirm his retirement from PKL after he went unsold at the recently concluded auctions.
Rahul Chaudhari Announces Retirement From PKL
Chaudhari, who has been one of the best raiders in the history of the Indian kabaddi, played a crucial role in the league at the start of the PKL, but his performance degraded by leaps and bounds, finally ending him contract-less in the auctions. In a two-page post, Chaudhari wrote, “To all my amazing fans & friends, First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who has supported me throughout my journey in the Pro Kabaddi League. Your unwavering faith and enthusiasm have been my strength over the last 10 seasons.”
He then went to recall his time in the league while announcing his retirement. “As many of you know, I was not a part of the auction for Season 11 of the Pro Kabaddi league, and I want to take this moment to address the questions and concerns I’ve been receiving. After 10 incredible seasons, I’ve decided to step back from the league to pave the way for new talent. It’s time for the next generation of players to emerge, prove themselves, and carry forward the legacy of this sport we all love so much,” he further added.
Rahul C h audhari confirms playing on international stage as well as for Uttar Pradesh
However, the 30-year-old might have called on his time from Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), he confirmed that he will continue to ply his trade in the international setup for India as well as continue to play for his state, Uttar Pradesh. “While my journey in the Pro Kabaddi league might be paused, my commitment to representing out country and my beloved Uttar Pradesh remains as strong as ever. I will continue to play in the upcoming tournaments, striving to make all of you proud on the international stage,” he added.
Speaking of the PKL 2024 Player Auction, which took place across two days on August 15 and 16, saw Sachin Tanwar bag the highest bid. Sachin, who was bought by Tamil Thalaivas for INR 2.15 Crore emerged the most expensive player while eight players crossed the INR 1 Crore mark for the first time on the history of the tournament.