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The Hockey India League 2024 (HIL) men’s player auction was completed in Delhi on Monday (October 14). There were eight teams that battled it out right till the end in their bid to make as strong a squad as possible.
Numerous Indian as well as overseas players had a field day as they fetched hefty pay cheques. However, there were some players who surprised one and all by going unsold.
The nature of a player auction is such that not everyone gets a contract. But for some renowned players who failed to find even a single bid, the auction surely ended as a disappointment.
Whether it was strategy or just bad luck, the fans of hockey will be upset at not getting to watch some of these top players at the HIL 2024. At the same time, not finding a contract is a big loss of opportunity for many of those who went unsold. Here is look at some such top players who went unsold.
Top 3 players to have gone unsold at HIL 2024 player auction
#3. Nicholas Bandurak (Great Britain)
Nicholas Bandurak was expected to stir a bidding war at the HIL 2024 player auction. However, that was not to be as the player from Great Britain went unsold. To the surprise of many, there was not even a single bid made for the 30-year-old forward.
Nicholas made his debut for GB at the 2022 FIH Pro League. He has since gone on to represent his country in 58 matches (24 GB/33 Eng) scoring 43 goals. Bandurak was the top scorer in England’s journey to the bronze medal at 2022 Commonwealth Games.
His potential and talent have been recognized by hockey lovers around the world. Thus, his absence from the HIL 2024 will come off as a disappointment for many.
#2.Andrew Charter (Australia)
Andrew Charter is the most capped Australian goalkeeper of all time. For the ace hockey player to have gone unsold at the HIL auction comes as a surprise to many. The 37-year-old is a two-time Olympian and won the silver medal at 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Charter was also instrumental in Australia winning the gold medal at 2022 Commonwealth Games. He is a solid force in the goal and would be an asset for any team he plays. Though, age is not on the side of this star player, his pedigree alone should have earned him a bid at the auction.
#1. Mats Grambusch (Germany)
Not many would have imagined that a World Cup-winning captain will go unsold at the HIL player auction. Mats Grambusch is one of the best players to have come out of Germany. He led his team from the front as they lifted the 2023 Hockey World Cup in India.
At the Paris Olympics 2024, Mats was once again instrumental in winning Germany the silver medal. The midfielder is a dominant force on the field and has a sharp mind. His skill and brain have worked wonders for Germany and all other teams he has been a part of. Him going unsold would come as a shock to many.
