Harmanpreet Singh, Udita Costliest Hockey players thrilled to begin Hockey India League

Hyderabad: After three days of intense bidding wars, eight Men’s and four Women’s Teams are ready to face each other in the Hockey India League 2024-25 in December. Indian Hockey Team defenders Harmanpreet Singh and Udita were the most wanted players in the Auction of the much-anticipated return of the Hockey India League. Udita was acquired by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for Rs32 lakh while Soorma Hockey Club bagged Harmanpreet Singh for Rs78 lakh.

Hyderabad Toofans, Soorma Hockey Club, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Delhi SG Pipers, Tamil Nadu Dragons, UP Rudras, Kalinga Lancers and Team Gonasika were the Men’s franchises that sought to outbid each other in the Men’s Auction on 13th and 14th October. In the Women’s Auction, on 15th October, Soorma Hockey Club, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Delhi SG Pipers and Odisha Warriors faced off in a bid to form the strongest squad of 24 players in the league.

While the Hockey India League is restarting after a seven-year hiatus, the return of the league is accompanied by the commencement of a Women’s Hockey India League, the very first of its kind in India. The Women’s Hockey India League will run concurrently with the Men’s, and its Final will be held in Ranchi on 26 January.

Indian Women’s Hockey Team defender Udita outsold multiple famous international hockey stars to become the highest buy of the Auction at Rs32 lakh for Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers. At the end of the Auction, some of her notable teammates were triple Olympics Gold medallist Eva Roma Maria Drummond from the Netherlands and Vandana Katariya, the highest-capped player in the history of Indian Women’s Hockey.

“Hockey India is breaking barriers and setting new standards by holding a Women’s Hockey India League at the same time as the Men’s Hockey India League. It was the first time most of us registered for an Auction and the whole team was excited to be a part of it,” Udita commented.

“This will be a good opportunity to showcase our skills and grow as athletes by playing with players from different nationalities. All of us are eager to give our 100 per cent to the League. I am happy to be the highest buy of the Hockey India League and I would like to thank the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for putting their faith in me. They have formed an impressive team and I cannot wait to get on the pitch and aim to win the League,” she added.

All eight Men’s Teams waged an all-out bidding war for the Indian Men’s Hockey Team Captain and double Olympic Bronze medallist Harmanpreet Singh. Soorma Hockey Club prevailed ultimately, shelling out a massive chunk of Rs78 lakh from a total purse of Rs4 crore in the Auction. The Haryana-Punjab-based team went on to bag fellow Olympic Bronze medallists - Vivek Sagar Prasad and Gurjant Singh and other big names to form a formidable squad.

“I am elated that the Hockey India League is back and in marvellous fashion. I was on the edge of my seat when my name came up during the auction, mentally hoping and urging Sardar Singh to bid for me and I get to play for the Haryana-Punjab region. It was a great relief when Soorma Hockey Club finally landed me in the Auction and I could not have been happier,” Harmanpreet Singh revealed.

“We have a very good-looking team at the Soorma Hockey Club at the end of the Auction, the owners and coaching staff have hit the ball out of the park. We have the perfect balance of experienced, big-name players and young players with the potential to become big names themselves. I am looking forward to playing the HIL again with a great bunch of players,” he signed off.