Kidambi Srikanth, Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu Big Buys In PBL 2018 Auction

Premier Indian badminton stars PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth and Saina Nehwal lived up to expectations as each of them bagged a deal worth Rs. 80 lakh in the Premier Badminton League (PBL) 2018 auction. According to the official Twitter account of PBL India, former world no.1 in men's singles, Kidambi Srikanth was bought by Bengaluru Blasters while Saina Nehwal will be seen playing for the North Eastern Warriors. PV Sindhu will represent the defending champions Hyderabad Hunters.

Saina Nehwal, after bagging the deal, took to Twitter and said she was looking forward on representing North East.

Looking forward to play @pblindialive 2018 for the @NEShuttlers team pic.twitter.com/yeho50GrnZ

— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) October 8, 2018

International players -- Spain's Carolina Marin, Danish shuttler Viktor Axelsen, South Korea's Sung Ji Hyun and Lee Yong Dae were all bought for Rs.80 lakh each.

Among the rising Indian players, Lakshya Sen grabbed a deal of Rs.11 lakh from 7 Aces Pune while Sourabh Verma was bought for Rs 16 lakh by Ahmedabad Smash Masters.

Badminton Association of India (BAI) President and PBL Chairman Himanta Biswa Sarma said ahead of the auction that the forthcoming season will be far more competitive.

"The increased interest of top players in the PBL underlines the growing stature of the tournament which has become a global brand in a short span of time. The fourth edition of the league is beckoning us and promises to be a far bigger and more competitive affair with the ninth team added to the roster," Sarma was quoted as saying in a press release.

A total of 145 badminton players representing 23 countries went under the hammer. The PBL season 4 will be held from December 22 to January 13.