Mithun Manjunath emerges as prime purchase at GPBL Players’ draft

National champion Mithun Manjunath emerged as the highest purchase on the gamers’ public sale of the Grand Prix Badminton League (GPBL) Season 2, which is scheduled to be held right here from August 27 to September 9.

The 25-year-old from Bengaluru, who had surprised world No.7 Loh Kean Yew just some days again on the Australian Open, was acquired by the Chennai Superstarz for a staggering Rs 14.5 lakhs after a bidding battle with Bengaluru Tigers.

Mithun, whose base value was Rs 8 lakh, is within the icon class.

As many as 15 worldwide gamers have been additionally drafted after the groups got the choice of selecting no more than two worldwide gamers.

Shin Baek Cheol was the second-highest purchase with Bengaluru Tigers buying the Republic of Korea shuttler for Rs 14 lakhs.

Cheol’s compatriot Lee Dong Keun was picked up by Gujarat Lions for Rs 13 lakhs, whereas World Championships bronze medallist B Sai Praneeth was purchased by Northeast Rhinos for Rs 10 lakhs.

The fifth-highest purchase was Polina Buhrova of Ukraine, who was drafted by Mumbai Wolves for Rs 9 lakhs.

The draft noticed 80 gamers being chosen out of a roster of 150 to characterize eight groups within the upcoming season.

More than 500 gamers had registered for the public sale. Each of the eight groups — Bengaluru Tigers, Hyderabad Hounds, Chennai Superstarz, Gujarat Lions, Kerala Tuskers, Mumbai Wolves, Pune Panthers and Northeast Rhinos — had a participant purse of Rs 35 lakhs.

Each group consists of an icon participant, a minimal of two Tier-1 gamers, a minimal of two Tier-2 gamers and a minimal of two girls gamers with an possibility to decide on no more than two worldwide gamers.

“We adopted a ‘maximum of two international players per team’ rule because we wanted more Indian players to be part of GPBL,” mentioned Prashanth Reddy, commissioner GPBL.

“We are thrilled with the outcome of the player draft. The enthusiasm displayed by the teams and fans alike showcases the popularity and growth of badminton as a sport.” Former India participant Arvind Bhat, league director, mentioned: “Considering the talent, the teams have strategically formed their squads. All the teams are balanced. However, considering the explosive format that we have adopted for the League, any team can win on a given day.” The Karnataka High Court has allowed the participation of Indian shuttlers in GPBL Season 2 after staying the operation of the Badminton Association of India’s (BAI) round asking the gamers to chorus from collaborating within the match.

There have been talks about making GPBL a 10-team affair however the organisers couldn’t get two extra sides on board.