Hockey India League Auction: Top five players who went unsold

Germany captain Mats Grambusch not finding a taker at the Hockey India League auction was a big shocker.

The Hockey India League (HIL) is gearing up for its revamped 2024-25 season. The eight participating teams, including Soorma Hockey Club, Team Gonasika, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Tamil Nadu Dragons, Hyderabad Toofans, UP Rudras, Delhi SG Pipers, and Kalinga Lancers, have all built their squads with prominent players following the auction.

Harmanpreet Singh, Abhishek, Hardik Singh, Gonzalo Peillat, Jip Janssen, and Jeremy Hayward were among the most sought-after players during the HIL auctions, as the league makes its return seven years after its last edition.

However, many big names didn’t find a team during the Hockey India League 2024-25 auction. With this, let’s take a look at the top five players who went unsold during the auctions.

Players who went unsold in Hockey India League auction

5) Sam Ward

Sam Ward is one of the prominent names that will be absent during the upcoming installment of the Hockey India League. Ward, who was a member of Great Britain’s squad during the Paris Olympics, is a two-time Commonwealth Games bronze medalist.

Despite having partial vision in his left eye after being struck by a 50mph ball, he made an incredible return to the team and now wears a mask to protect his face while playing. In his 141 appearances, Ward has scored 83 international goals for his side and will surely be a major miss.

4) Yuvraj Walmiki

Yuvraj Walmiki is one of the top Indian players who wasn’t picked by any franchises during the HIL auctions. Walmiki was a crucial member of the Delhi Waveriders, who initially selected him during the league’s inaugural edition for USD 18,500. They later retained him for the 2016-2017 season at USD 40,000.

Walmiki’s notable achievements include being part of India’s gold medal-winning team at the 2011 Asian Champions Trophy and contributing to their bronze medal finish at the 2012 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. In addition, he is the only Indian player to have competed in the German Hockey League for eight consecutive years.

Also Read: Top 10 most expensive players at Hockey India League auction

3) Ramandeep Singh

Another athlete who won’t be a part of the Hockey India League for the upcoming edition is Ramandeep Singh. Singh was the costliest player in the second season of the HIL representing Uttar Pradesh Wizards, where he was bought at USD 81,000 during a closed-bid auction.

Singh was a member of the squad that represented India at the Rio Olympics 2016. The forward amassed 53 goals in the 138 appearances for the nation. He also was a key member of India’s team that won the gold at the Asian Games 2014.

2) Andrew Charter

Andrew Charter is one of the biggest names who went unsold at the Hockey India League auctions in the renewed edition. Charter, the most capped goalkeeper having played more than 200 games for Australia, didn’t receive a bid despite his impressive list of accomplishments.

Carter was instrumental in the nation’s silver medal win at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 and helped Australia in winning three gold medals at the Oceania Cup, Champions Trophy, and Commonwealth Games. He also contributed to Australia’s World Cup win in 2014 and FIH Pro League in 2019.

Also Read: Full squad of all eight teams in men’s Hockey India League

1) Mats Grambusch

One of the most surprising names that went unpicked during the bidding was Mats Grambusch. The 30-year-old German player has been a prominent athlete on the international field hockey circuit. He played an integral role in both the Paris and Rio Olympics squads, helping the nation earn silver and bronze medals, respectively, by scoring goals for the team.

He also captained Germany to their third title at the Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup 2023, jointly hosted by Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, Odisha. Grambusch not being chosen by a franchise is undoubtedly one of the biggest misses of this edition’s auction.

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