Top 10 most expensive players at Hockey India League auction

Harmanpreet Singh became the most expensive player on day 1 of HIL Auction.

The Hockey India League, also known as HIL, returned with much fanfare after a seven-year gap with a high-staked player auction on Sunday. The revamped league is scheduled to start in December 2024 with eight franchises competing to build their 24-player squad – all eyes set for a glorious season.

HIL is a big step for Indian hockey as India are keen to build on the success of the national team in winning bronze medals in Olympic Games in Tokyo and Paris. The league is also an overdue platform which gathers the country’s best talent and international stars, creating a seriously competitive environment that has basically been helpful in pushing forward the standards of the sport in India back in last decade.

Also Read: Hockey India League Player Auction Highlights

The three-day auction opened with frenetic bids for Indian players. Each team must compose a side consisting of 24 players—16 Indians, including four junior ones and eight foreigners. Thus, the format ensures that both experience players and young talent are available in the right proportions, as intended by the League in terms of building future stars.

Day 1 of the auction featured desperate bid wars over India’s biggest stars and other global superstars. Here are the top 10 expensive players from the Hockey India League auction day 1.

10: Shamsher Singh – Rs 42 lakhs (Delhi SG Pipers)

Shamsher Singh is a goal-scoring forward and midfielder who shot into prominence through his performance in the Paris Olympics, which culminated in India’s bronze medal. His signing by Delhi SG Pipers shows his rapidly growing stock in Indian hockey.

9: Jeremy Hayward – Rs 42 lakhs (Soorma Hockey Club)

Australian defender Jeremy Hayward is a specialist in penalty corners, an expert for the international pick during auction. This was where his strategic defensive capabilities proved to be an important factor both for his national side. The performances Hayward delivered over the course of several months showed good defensive hockey and proper delivery of set pieces.

8: Sumit Walmiki- Rs 46 lakhs (Hyderabad Toofans)

Sumit Walmiki is a current India men’s national hockey team defender, from Sonipat. He played for the winning side of the Junior World Cup in the 2016 win and then made his senior debut for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2017. Sumit Walmiki has also won the gold medals in the Asian Games in 2014 and in the Asian Games again in 2022.

7: Jugraj Singh – Rs 48 lakhs (Rarh Bengal Tigers)

Jugraj Singh is one of the top-rated stars of the Indian outfit. The player burst to limelight recently when he scored a winning goal against China in the final of the Asian Champions Trophy. His ability to play both as a defender and drag-flicker has seen heavy gains over his services

6: Amit Rohidas – Rs 48 lakhs (Tamil Nadu Dragons)

Amit Rohidas has been an integral part of India’s hockey defense, performing at a very high level since he became the team’s main first rusher in penalty corners. Being a very astute reader of the game and executing quality defensive actions on crucial moments of the game have made him a crème-de-la-crème defender.

5: Jip Janssen – Rs 54 lakhs (Tamil Nadu Dragons)

Jip Janssen, Netherlands’ 26-year-old defender, was the silver bullet to the Dutch squad’s gold medal success at the recently concluded Paris Olympics, topping country’s score list with five goals. With his duality of skills both in defense and scoring ability, Janssen is all set to shine his way into the Hockey India League (HIL) season 2024-25.

Also Read: Top five most expensive overseas players at Hockey India League player auction

4: Gonzalo Peillat – Rs 68 lakhs (Hyderabad Toofans)

Germany drag-flick ace became the costliest foreign signing of the day and proved that penalty corner specialists is what matters. Peillat has been very remarkable in penalty corners; he is never, ever out of sorts when it comes to scoring penalties during such situations.

The former Argentine player now in German ranks scored a much-priced goal against India in semifinals of Paris Olympics and led Germany to the finals.

3: Hardik Singh – Rs 70 lakhs (UP Rudras)

Hardik Singh stands tall above other midfielders of India and his last few games built immense interest in franchises. His flexibility paid well as UP Rudras inked him for a handsome price. In the Asian Champions Trophy and other games, Hardik’s quick feet and smart thinking were visible where he set up plays and scored chances for himself.

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

2: Abhishek – Rs 72 lakhs (Rarh Bengal Tigers)

The Paris medalist’s versatility and goal-scoring ability made him one of the most expensive picks of the day. He has been showing good form to prove that he can stand up under pressure. In the last few tournaments, Abhishek showcased exemplary skill both in midfield and forward spots which really made a difference for India going forward on the international scenario

1: Harmanpreet Singh – Rs 78 lakhs (Soorma Hockey Club)

The Indian captain and drag-flick expert turned out to be the most expensive player of the day with Soorma Hockey Club securing his services after an intense bidding battle. Singh has been the phenom in India, first as the skipper and then as the drag-flick specialist, showing up as the top scorer at the Paris 2024 Olympics with 10 goals.

His leadership was prime importance in giving India a well-deserved bronze medal in the Games. Not only has he impressed with his scoring, but also he successfully executed penalty corners throughout the tournament.

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