Women's Hockey India League Auction: Udita Duhan becomes most expensive player; Yibbi Jansen costliest foreign buy

There were several surprise picks at the auction.

The Hockey India League auction for women’s competition was successfully conducted in New Delhi on 15th October. All four franchises assembled strong squads for the inaugural season, scheduled to take place in Ranchi later this year.

Udita Duhan, acquired by Rarh Bengal Tigers for Rs. 32 lakhs, emerged as the most expensive buy, while the Dutch star Yibbi Jansen was the costliest overseas player, bought for Rs. 29 lakhs by Odisha Warriors. 

Promising young Indian players Lalremsiami (for Rs. 25 lakhs to Rarh Bengal Tigers), Sunelita Toppo (for Rs. 24 lakhs to Delhi SG Pipers), and Sangita Kumari (for Rs. 22 lakhs to Delhi SG Pipers) attracted significant attention from the franchises.

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

Among the current Indian women’s hockey team core group, Salima Tete (Rs. 20 lakh) and Savita (Rs. 20 lakh) were bought by the Soorma Hockey Club, while Delhi SG Pipers acquired Navneet Kaur for Rs. 19 lakhs.  

Meanwhile, several overseas players, including Belgium’s Charlotte Englebert (for Rs. 16 lakhs to Soorma Hockey Club), Germany’s Charlotte Stapenhorst (for Rs. 16 lakhs to Soorma Hockey Club), and Australia’s Jocelyn Bartram (for Rs. 15 lakhs to Odisha Warriors) were the notable buys.

After approving a request from unsold players of the Indian senior women and junior women’s teams to reduce their base price to Rs. 2 lakh, players such as Madhuri Kindo (for Rs. 3.40 lakhs to Odisha Warriors), Jyoti Chhatri (for Rs. 5 lakhs to Odisha Warriors), Deepika Soreng (for Rs. 2.20 lakhs to Soorma Hockey Club), and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal (for Rs. 4.90 lakhs to Odisha Warriors), among others, secured their place in the inaugural edition of the Women’s HIL.

Top five most expensive players in Women’s Hockey India League auction

1. Udita Duhan – Rs 32 lakhs (Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers)
2. Yibbi Jansen – Rs 29 lakhs (Odisha Warriors)
3. Lalremsiami – Rs 25 lakhs (Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers)
4. Sunelita Toppo – Rs 24 lakhs (Delhi SG Pipers)
5. Sangita Kumari – Rs 22 lakhs (Delhi SG Pipers)

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