PBG Pune Jaguars Retain Diya Chitale as Top Player in UTT Season 7 Auction

In a significant move for the upcoming UTT Season 7, Diya Chitale has been retained as the highest-valued Indian player by PBG Pune Jaguars. The franchise has also strengthened its roster with international players and emerging domestic talents. UTT co-promoter Vita Dani highlighted the league's growth, while team owner Punit Balan expressed confidence in building a balanced squad around Chitale. The season will feature a round-robin format with seven teams competing for the top four spots in the knockout phase. Read on to discover more about the auction and team strategies.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 30, 2026, 02:48 IST

Diya Chitale's Continued Dominance

For the second year in a row, Diya Chitale has been recognized as the highest-valued Indian player during the Butterfly Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) Season 7 auction, which took place on Tuesday.

Chitale, a prominent figure in Indian table tennis, was acquired for 37.4 L tokens, highlighting her crucial role in the Jaguars' strategy for the upcoming season, as stated in a press release.

Strengthening the Team

The Pune franchise has also enhanced its roster by signing international players Prithika Pavade from France and Omar Assar from Egypt. Additionally, they have welcomed domestic talents Snehit SFR, Mudit Dani, and Sayanika Maji to their lineup.

Insights on League Development

Vita Dani, co-promoter of UTT, remarked that the auction showcased the league's growth in quality and depth over the years. She expressed satisfaction in seeing teams invest in both seasoned international athletes and promising Indian players.

Punit Balan, the owner of PBG Pune Jaguars, expressed pride in building the team around Chitale, calling her one of the world's best players. He emphasized the team's commitment to forming a well-rounded squad with a strong Indian foundation complemented by experienced international players.

Format of UTT Season 7

The upcoming Butterfly UTT Season 7 will feature seven teams competing in a single round-robin format, where each team will play against every other team once during the league stage. The top four teams will then progress to the knockout rounds.