The rise of franchise leagues brought about the need for auctions. To succeed in these leagues, performing well in the auction is crucial. Teams select players by outbidding their competitors, combining data analysis with quick decisions influenced by emotions to form their squad. To navigate this, teams hire auction experts and analysts to craft strategies. They might forgo some players to ensure team balance and future prospects, often releasing senior players if their performance dips. The PKL 11 auction saw several legends not getting bids, leaving fans to miss their presence in the upcoming season.
Here are the top 5 legends who will be missed in action for the upcoming season.
5. Surinder Singh
Singh went unsold on the second day of the PKL 11 auction. The right-cover defender, who captained U Mumba in Season 10, has been a key player for the franchise, featuring in five out of the six seasons he’s played. In his first three years, Surinder was particularly dominant.
In Season 5, the Himachal Pradesh native achieved 58 tackle points. The following season, teaming up with Fazel Atrachali, he reached new heights in his performance.
Surinder was the first defender to achieve 100 successful assists in a single season. His stint with the Telugu Titans didn’t go as planned, with inconsistency affecting his game. Although he returned to U Mumba and took on the captaincy in Season 10, he couldn’t recapture his previous form. It’s surprising that the 25-year-old went unsold, given his experience.
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4. Ran Singh
When the Jaipur Pink Panthers clinched the title in the first season, Ran Singh was a key player for the team. His all-around abilities earned him 156 points and secured his place with the Panthers for the initial four years. As the league expanded to 12 franchises, the Bengal Warriors signed him. Like a fine wine, he improved over time, achieving scores of 64 and 71 in his next two seasons with the Warriors.
Despite a solid performance in season seven with the Tamil Thalaivas, Ran Singh faced a setback in season eight with the Bengaluru Bulls. During his two seasons with the Bulls, he played 22 matches but only managed to score 32 points. Given the high standards of the PKL, teams chose not to rehire him, even though his base price was just Rs 13 lakhs.
3. Sandeep Narwal
Narwal stands out as a notable figure in the Pro Kabaddi League. His aggressive style has earned him a strong following, and he has been a fixture in the league since it began. However, fans were shocked when he remained unsold in the latest auction, as many were eager to see him in PKL 11.
Known for his role as a corner defender, Narwal’s robust physique also allows him to perform well in the cover position, especially when executing dashes. At 31, he has already celebrated two championship victories: one with Dabang Delhi KC in Season 8 and another with Patna Pirates in 2016. Despite his impressive track record, he was overlooked by teams in the recent auction.
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2. Deepak Niwas Hooda
The Pro Kabaddi League, despite including international players, is predominantly influenced by Indian players. Every team aims to have top-quality talent, and having a former Indian captain on board is highly desirable. However, for the second year in a row, teams have opted not to bid for Deepak Niwas Hooda.
Hooda, an all-rounder, has been a crucial player for several PKL teams in the past and has made significant contributions. Even though he hasn’t played for a year, his ranking as one of the top five raiders of all time highlights his skill. Nonetheless, each team has its own strategy, and unfortunately, the 30-year-old Hooda doesn’t seem to fit into any of their plans.
1. Rahul Chaudhari
Chaudhari, once hailed as the star of Indian Kabaddi and the face of the Pro Kabaddi League, saw his early years filled with acclaim. Known for his impressive performance, he stood out as a key player. However, his form has since declined.
During his first six seasons with the Telugu Titans, Rahul amassed 876 points from 100 matches. But his performance took a downturn after leaving the Titans. In season seven, when he joined the Tamil Thalaivas, he couldn’t improve the team’s fortunes.
Following this, Rahul played for the Puneri Paltans and the Jaipur Pink Panthers as a backup raider, earning only 230 points across 54 matches. At the PKL 11 Auction, he reached a new low, going unselected by any team.
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