
The HIL 2024/25 Player Auction took place in New Delhi on the 14th of October 2024, and franchises went all out to get the best Indian and International players for a strong and formidable lineup for the season to be played in Rourkela.
The two-day event saw most players going under the hammer and attracting record prices as a testimony to the league’s expanding market base and prosperity.
Top Buys of the Auction
Player Name | Team | Price (INR) | Nationality |
---|---|---|---|
Harmanpreet Singh | Soorma Hockey Club | 72 lakhs | Indian |
Victor Wegnez | Soorma Hockey Club | 40 lakhs | Belgian |
Hardik Singh | UP Rudras | 70 lakhs | Indian |
Thierry Brinkman | Kalinga Lancers | 3.8 lakhs | Dutch |
Arthur Van Doren | Kalinga Lancers | 3.2 lakhs | Belgian |
Moriangthem Rabichandra | Kalinga Lancers | 32 lakhs | Indian |
Angad Bir Singh | Kalinga Lancers | 26 lakhs | Indian |
Maninder Singh | Soorma Hockey Club | 26 lakhs | Indian |
Rajinder Singh | Hyderabad Toofans | 23 lakhs | Indian |

Image Credit: India Today
Victor Wegnez and Harmanpreet Singh Leading Upto the top best Buys
The second auction day in India saw Belgium’s Victor Wegnez become the most expensive overseas player, being bought for 40 lakhs Rs to Soorma Hockey Club.
Wegnez was both a great defensive and attacking mid, and his skill set was a valuable addition to the team. The club was more than keen to sign him.
At the same time, defending Indian champion drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh became the most expensive purchase in the entire auction.
He was brought for a whopping INR 72 lakhs by Soorma Hockey Club during Day 1 of auctions. On the Indian circuit, players like Harmanpreet have delivered consistent performances on the Internationals and become attractive commodities in the HIL.
For Soorma Hockey Club, he is indispensable if they are to lay their hands on the trophy.
Indian Stars Dominate the Auction
Most of the bidding wars were done by Indian players and several of the domestic talents were bought for inflated prices.
Another prominent auctionee was the second costliest purchase of the auction, Acquired by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for Rs 72 lakhs.
Other rising Indian stars include Hardik Singh for whom UP Rudras shelled Rs 70 lakh to acquire his services, also a sign of lucrative investments in indigenous players.
Local talents were also purchased, and young Indian players were bought for Rs 32 lakh for Moriangthem Rabichandra and Rs 26 lakh for Angad Bir Singh of Kalinga Lancers.
Maninder Singh signed with Soorma Hockey Club for Rs 26 lakh, and Rajinder Singh with Hyderabad Toofans for Rs 23 lakh.
There was no exception to International starts as well, especially Dutch team captain Thierry Brinkman, who was sold to Kalinga Lancers for Rs 380000 and Belgium’s Arthur Van Doren for Rs 320000, respectively.
Franchises take their spoons up for a competitive season.
Eight franchises finalizing their teams, it is time for the upcoming HIL 2024/25 season to unfold. Widespread spending
on both local talent from India and international talent tells about the rising competition level as well as popularity among fans and investors.
The season will be a mixture of youngsters and experienced international players coming out to give fans a great moment once the tournament commences later in the year at Rourkela.
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References:
IndiaToday.com
Sportstar.com
