Top 10 players to watch out for in men's Hockey India League 2024-25

The best hockey players in the world are set to grace the Indian shores.

A patient wait of seven years is set to end in a few days, as the Men’s Hockey India League 2024-25 is set to begin on December 28. The competition goes on for nearly a month, with the final set to take place on February 1. The Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, which is the largest fully seated hockey stadium in the world, will play host to most matches, with select matches at alternate venues.

Apart from household Indian names, there will also be stars from top hockey-playing nations like the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Australia. With the global standards of the sport rising steadily, even the unfortunate withdrawal of 21 international players cannot dampen the intensity and quality set to be displayed on the field.

Let us now have a look at 10 players capable of creating wonders, at the Men’s Hockey India League 2024-25.

Players to watch in Hockey India League 2024-25

10: Dilraj Singh (Delhi SG Pipers)

The Delhi SG Pipers, who signed up Dilraj Singh at an amount of Rs 5 lakhs, might potentially have a future great in their ranks. The 19-year-old forward has scored 10 times in 12 appearances for the junior team. He netted thrice in the Sultan of Johor Cup, before scoring seven goals in the Junior Asia Cup 2024.

Dilraj has the ability to make runs from both flanks and shown a tendency to make composed finishes, both being qualities which indicate that he could be a top-quality forward going ahead.

9: Araijeet Singh Hundal (Team Gonasika)

Araijeet Singh Hundal, 20, who has increasingly shown promise for the senior team, scoring five goals, could be an X-factor for Team Gonasika. Importantly, the forward has scored 31 times in just 34 matches at the junior level. He was roped in at a sum of Rs 42 lakhs.

The tall lad who is known for his poacher’s instincts, was declared as the Player of the Tournament in the Junior Asia Cup recently, scoring 10 goals in total, including a sensational performance in the final against Pakistan where he shipped in four goals. What makes him even more lethal, is his ability to send across powerful drag-flicks during penalty corners.

8: Jeremy Hayward (Soorma Hockey Club)

Jeremy Hayward was purchased at Rs 42 lakhs by the Soorma Hockey Club, making him the third most expensive overseas player. The Australian defender has been part of a side, which has dominated field hockey for a long period. He was part of the squad which won the 2014 World Cup. With 233 caps and having scored more than 120 goals, the drag-flicker’s experience will be a huge asset to the side.

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

7: Krishan Pathak (Kalinga Lancers)

India’s first-choice goalkeeper Krishan Pathak will be standing guard between the bars for the Kalinga Lancers. The seasoned campaigner, who was snapped up at a price of Rs 32 lakhs, has already earned 134 caps for the senior team.

Under the shadows of the legendary PR Sreejesh for a long time, the 27-year-old custodian has shared duties with the veteran during big tournaments such as the FIH World Cup 2023 and the Asian Games 2022.

6: Blake Govers (Tamil Nadu Dragons)

Creating chances, scoring goals from open play or sending powerful across powerful drag flicks, Australian attacking midfielder Blake Govers is one who can do it all. The Tamil Nadu Dragons would consider themselves fortunate, that they acquired his signing at a meagre amount of Rs 27 lakhs.

The 28-year-old’s stats are sensational with 239 goals in 167 matches. Govers’ recent form is no different, having scored 12 goals in as many matches at the FIH Pro League and seven goals in just five matches at the Paris Olympics.

5: Rupinder Pal Singh (Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers)

Former ace Indian drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh, who was a key member of the bronze-medal winning squad at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, will be a name everyone will watch out for. The 34-year-old didn’t have many takers, probably as a result of the lack of game time, considering he last played for India in 2021.

The Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers purchased the defender, at a sum of Rs 12.5 lakhs. The lanky Rupinder, who has 125 goals in 223 matches and is also a safe defender, would want to prove that he still has a lot of steam left within.

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

4: Gonzalo Peillat (Hyderabad Toofans)

Drag-flicker Gonzalo Peillat was picked up by the Hyderabad Toofans for a price of Rs 68 lakhs, making him the most expensive overseas player in the auctions. He was part of the Argentinian side which won the gold medal in the 2016 Olympics. He also played a key part in Germany’s 2023 World Cup triumph as well as the silver medal in the 2024 Olympics.

The 32-year-old has played more than 150 international matches and scored more than 180 goals. At Paris too, he scored four goals, which included one in the semi-final. A world-class defender too, Peillat’s form is likely to dictate how the tournament pans out for the Toofans.

3: Alexander Hendrickx (Kalinga Lancers)

The Kalinga Lancers had the steal of the auction, signing Belgian defender Alexander Hendrickx at an amount of Rs 23 lakhs. Unarguably one of the best drag flickers in the world currently, he is also a solid defender. The 31-year-old was part of the squads, which were triumphant at the 2018 World Cup and the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

He has been consistent as ever, scoring 10 goals in 12 matches in the FIH Pro League 2023-24 and scoring a goal each in all but one of the six matches at the Paris Olympics 2024. Cumulatively Hendrickx has amassed 168 goals in 198 international matches.

Also Read: Top five overseas players to watch out for in Men’s Hockey India League 2024-25

2: Hardik Singh (UP Rudras)

Hardik Singh was the third most expensive player at the HIL auctions, as the UP Rudras landed the final bid at Rs 70 lakhs. The midfielder has been an integral part of the respective sides which clinched two back-to-back Olympic medals. While he is an occasional goal-scorer as proven by his tally of 11 goals in 142 appearances for the senior team, the 26-year-old is known to be a magician, who knows how to make things happen.

Carrying the ball through the middle, creating chances and falling back when required- all aspects of Hardik’s game will be required by the Rudras, as he leads a star-studded midfield.

Also Read: Top five players who went unsold in Hockey India League Auction

1: Harmanpreet Singh (Soorma Hockey Club)

Most would have seen this coming from miles away. Harmanpreet Singh, who won the ‘Upcoming Player Award’ in the last edition of the Hockey India League in 2017, is now a two-time Olympic medallist, India’s ‘Sarpanch’ and one of the greats of the game, with 212 goals in 241 matches. Unsurprisingly, the 28-year-old was the most expensive player at the auction, with the Soorma Hockey Club acquiring his services at a price of Rs. 78 lakhs.

Unarguably one of the best defenders in the world as well as one of the best drag-flickers in the world, Harmanpreet has 212 goals in 241 international matches. He was the leading goal-scorer at the Paris Olympics 2024, with 10 goals and was recently declared as the ‘FIH Player of the Year 2024’.

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