Panaji, Aug. 17 -- Shameemudheen emerged as the biggest buy at the Prime Volleyball League Season 5 Player Auction on Monday, with Kochi Blue Spikers securing the blocker for Rs 20 lakh.

Muhammad Nihal CK was the second-highest buy at Rs 19 lakh, while Shon T John and Jasjodh Singh were joint third-highest buys at Rs 15.5 lakh each as the league's 10 franchises strengthened their squads ahead of the new season, according to a press release from PVL.

The standout story of the auction was the 11 players from the recently concluded Guardians Trophy who earned bids from PVL franchises. Among them, Suraj Chaudhary emerged as the highest-valued player, with the young blocker being picked up by Calicut Heroes for Rs 9.5 lakh.

Their performanc...