Meet the captain of all teams in men’s Hockey India League 2024-25

Harmanpreet Singh will captain Soorma Hockey Club in the Hockey India League.

The Hockey India League 2025 is making its much-anticipated return after a seven-year hiatus, with the last edition held in 2017. The revamped tournament will feature eight teams: Delhi SG Pipers, Hyderabad Toofans, Kalinga Lancers, Rarh Bengal Tigers, Soorma Hockey Club, Tamil Nadu Dragons, Team Gonasika, and UP Rudras.

As anticipation builds for the tournament, set to take place from December 28 to February 1, let’s take a closer look at the captains of the eight franchises:

Captains of all teams in men’s Hockey India League 2024-25

1) Delhi SG Pipers, Captains – Shamsher Singh, Jacob Whetton

Indian midfielder Shamsher Singh and Australian forward Jacob Whetton has been picked as the co-captains for the Delhi SG Pipers. Singh was a member of India’s Tokyo and Paris Olympics teams that won the bronze medals. Additionally, Singh was an instrumental member of India’s squad at the Asian Games 2022, where India had a remarkable campaign, winning the gold and reclaiming the title from Japan.

On the other hand, Jacob Whetton, one of the Kookaburras’ most capped players with 280 caps and 79 goals, was instrumental in winning silver at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Additionally, he has made three Olympic appearances and is a triple Commonwealth Games gold medalist. Notably, he announced his retirement from international hockey before making his Hockey India League 2025 appearance.

2) Hyderabad Toofans, Captain – Sumit Walmiki

India’s prolific midfielder Sumit Walmiki has been chosen as the captain of the Hyderabad Toofans for HIL 2024-25. Since making his senior team debut in 2017, he has earned 151 caps for India. A key player in the bronze-winning campaigns at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, he was signed by the Toofans as one of their most expensive players for an impressive Rs. 46 lakh.

3) Kalinga Lancers, Captain – Aran Zalewski

Kalinga Lancers, the winners of the Hockey India League 2017, will be led by former Australian co-captain Aran Zalewski. Lancers strengthened their team for the HIL 2024-25 by bringing in the experienced Kookaburras player for Rs 27 Lakhs during auctions. He was instrumental in Australia’s silver medal victory at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Some of his other achievements include being part of the gold medal-winning teams at the 2014 World Cup, the Oceania Cup (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2023), the Champions Trophy (2016, 2018), and the Commonwealth Games (2014, 2018, and 2022).

4) Rarh Bengal Tigers, Captain – Rupinder Pal Singh

India’s former international field hockey star Rupinder Pal Singh has been chosen as the captain of the Rarh Bengal Tigers. Rupinder, who played a crucial role in the nation’s bronze medal win at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, was bought for a sum of Rs. 12.5L during the auctions. Known for his exceptional drag-flicking skills, the 34-year-old amassed 234 goals from his 223 appearances over the course of his 11-year international career.

5) Soorma Hockey Club, Captain – Harmanpreet Singh

Soorma Hockey Club received a significant boost during the Hockey India League 2025 auction when they bought Indian men’s hockey team captain, Harmanpreet Singh, for an impressive ₹78 lakh, making him the most expensive player of this year’s auction. The 28-year-old, playing as a defender, is known for his drag-flicking skills.

Harmanpreet was an instrumental member of the Tokyo Olympics 2020 that won bronze and captained India to another bronze at the Paris Olympics 2024. Besides this, he has been crucial in India’s medal winning performances at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Champions Trophy among others.

Notably, Harmanpreet also captained the India’s Junior World Cup team that collected gold in the 2016 edition held in Lucknow.

6) Tamil Nadu Dragons, Captain – Amit Rohidas

Amit Rohidas has been appointed as the captain of the Tamil Nadu Dragons. Widely regarded as one of the best rushers in the world, the 31-year-old has earned two Olympic bronze medals, representing India at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games. With over 200 appearances in his international career, he has been a key figure in the Indian hockey team for years.

7) Team Gonasika, Captain – Manpreet Singh

Manpreet Singh, the former Indian men’s hockey team skipper, will be leading Team Gonasika at the Hockey India League 2024-25. He was picked by the team for a whopping Rs. 42L during the HIL auctions. He served as the captain of the men’s team that won an historic bronze at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 and was an integral member of the Paris Olympics squad that clinched another bronze.

Additionally, Singh played a crucial role in India’s medal-winning performances at the Asian Games, Asian Champions Trophy, Commonwealth Games, and other major tournaments.

Also Read: Men’s Hockey India League 2024-25: Updated schedule, fixtures, results, live streaming details

8) UP Rudras, Captain – Hardik Singh

Hardik Singh, who served as India’s deputy during the Paris Olympics 2024, has been announced as the captain of UP Rudras. The Indian midfielder was picked by the Lucknow-based franchise for a whopping Rs. 70L.

As India secured a bronze at the Paris Olympics, Hardik became a two-time Olympic medalist, having also been part of the bronze medal-winning team at the Tokyo Olympics. Moreover, the 26-year-old is an Asian Games gold medalist and Commonwealth Games silver medalist.

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