Nitin Tomar, Kabaddi’s costliest player, has a plan for spending Rs 93 lakh bid money

The phone at Nitin Tomar’s house in Malakpur village has been ringing since May 22 — the day he became the highest-bid player ever in the Pro Kabaddi League. The 22-year-old was picked up for Rs 93 lakh by the UP team owned by the GMR Group. Last year, Mohit Chhillar topped the list with Rs 53 lakh.

Tomar, who was watching the auction at his home in Baghpat district, UP, with friends, was stunned to find himself the subject of a bidding war. “My base price was Rs 20 lakh. So, when my name came up, I assumed I would get around Rs 40-50 lakh,” Tomar says during a telephone interview.

“My friends now want a big party from me, which I shall give soon,” he adds with a laugh.

And celebrations are in order for the Petty Officer at the INS Angre unit of the Indian Navy, who now feels a huge responsibility on his shoulders. “I have won the World Cup, which was the biggest moment for me. This is something I cannot describe,” he says. “It’s an honour to play for a team from my home state.


Tomar, who was watching the auction at his home in Baghpat district, UP, with friends, was stunned to find himself the subject of a bidding war.

Now, I need the mental strength to live up and justify the money that the team has spent on me,” he adds.

As for what he will do with money, Tomar has it all planned out. “I will use it for my sister’s wedding, to build a house, and then put some money in my family’s fields. I play because I love the game; it is good that money is also coming in. But money is not the most important thing in life,” he says.

Coming from a family of wrestlers — two of his uncles represented India internationally — Tomar says kabaddi wasn’t in his plan. “My school did not have wrestling and so I started to play kabaddi,” he says. Tomar is now looking forward to July 28, when the league commences.

“I am going to practice hard. Last season, I was injured. I am looking to stay fit and play well this time,” he says.