Hockey India League: Top five most expensive Indian players at women's auction

Rarh Bengal Tigers and Delhi SG Pipers shared four of the five most expensive Indian players between.

October 15, 2024, will always be a historic date in women’s hockey as the auction for the first-ever Women’s Hockey India League took place in New Delhi. Four teams—Soorma Hockey Club based out of Haryana, Shrachi Rahr Bengal Tigers, Delhi SG Pipers and Odisha Warriors will be in fray for the inaugural edition of the league.

Two more teams Hyderabad Toofans and Team Mumbai will join the league from season two. The HIL player auction saw 250 Indians and over 70 overseas players up for grabs. With a purse of Rs. 2 crores, each team were allowed a to purchase a full squad of 24 players, including eight overseas and 16 Indians that also comprise of four junior players (U21 or younger).

The league will feature not only the current stars but also former legends as well. The auction saw some intense bidding and as expected Indians were the flavour of the day as teams wanted to set their core from the first edition itself. Here are the top five Indians who went for top billing after a bidding war.

Five most expensive Indian players at Women’s Hockey India League auction

#5 Vaishnavi Phalke – Rs 21 Lakhs (Soorma Hockey Club)

Soorma Hockey Club snapped Indian midfielder Vaishnavi Vittal Phalke for Rs. 21 Lakhs. It was right after the Haryana-based club made a steal by buying the Indian skipper Salima Tete. With both these buys, Soorma Hockey Club not only made a strong start at the auction but also a statement to their opponents about the controlling the game.

Having captained the junior national team, the Maharashtra girl got a senior team call up in 2023. She has been impressive with her defensive play and has been a regular in the side in the last 16 months. She was part of the Indian team that claimed bronze medal at the Asian Games last year and would like to make a bigger impact much like their mentor Rani Rampal.

#4 Sangita Kumari – Rs 22 lakhs (Delhi SG Pipers)

Sangita Kumari was bought by Delhi SG Pipers for Rs. 22 lakhs in an interesting auction battle. The Jharkhand girl was one of the most sought-after forward players as all teams challenged one another to get her onboard. While Bengal, Soorma, and Odisha were fighting hard, Delhi played the waiting game and raised their paddle just seconds before she was about to be sold.

It was right in time as their stubborn bids made others yield, leaving the national capital side as the ouright winners for her signature. Sangita, 22, was expected to create a furore in the room as she is one of the prolific goalscorers in the Indian team. With 24 goals in 57 appearances, any coach would want to have her in the team and Delhi’s coach Dave Smolenaars obliged to it by acquiring her services for the season.

#3 Sunelita Toppo – 24 lakhs (Delhi SG Pipers)

The franchise leagues are known to change the lives of talented youngsters and Women’s HIL seems to have done the same for Sunelita Toppo, who went to Delhi SG Pipers for Rs. 24 lakhs. The Odisha girl was one of the names everyone was looking forward to seeing in the auction and as expected she stirred an intense bidding war.

Soorma Hockey Club and Bengal Tigers started the bidding. Delhi entered the race late but were determined to get the 17-year-old as their first buy of the auction. The forward made her international debut earlier this year after coming into the limelight at the 2022 National Games. In her short career, she has already switched to forward line from midfield and the league might see the full potential of the youngster.

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

#2 Lalremsiami – Rs 25 lakhs (Shrachi Rahr Bengal Tigers)

Shrachi Rahr Bengal Tigers broke the bank to get the services of Lalremsiami for Rs. 25 lakhs. The 2019 FIH rising star of the year is a great addition of the team, which already has the experienced Vandana Katariya. The young legs of Lalremsiami and the veteran Vandana will be one of strong attacking pairs of the league.

The 24-year-old has been on the international circuit for eight years with 139 caps and 37 goals. With tons of playing minutes, rubbing the shoulders with top players from countries across the globe, the halfback will be pivotal to the team’s chances. The Mizoram-girl deserves the price she has got and would like to show she is worth every penny with her performances.

#1 Udita Duhan – Rs 32 lakhs (Shrachi Rahr Bengal Tigers)

One of the India’s top defenders, Udita Duhan, fetched Rs. 32 lakhs to become the most expensive player in the inaugural edition of the Women’s Hockey India League auction. The 26-year-old has been one of the top performers for India in the last few years, having been part of the team that won twin Asian Games medal and a bronze in 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The defensive dynamo is known for pace and for making interceptions & tackles will be key to Bengal’s chances. The defender has been one of the preferred PC takers in recent times and has been finding the back of the net more often than not. She scored five goals in first 78 games compared to six goals in the last 33 games. Bengal will be hoping the same form in the league as well.

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