Hockey India League Auction: A New Era of Indian Dominance
The curtains have closed on the intense three-day Hockey India League player auction, with eight men’s teams and four women’s sides finalizing their squads of 24 players each. As the dust settles, it’s clear that the landscape of Indian hockey has undergone a significant transformation since the first auction in 2013.
Rise of the Indian Stars
In 2013, foreign players were the hottest commodities, with four of the six costliest players hailing from abroad. Fast-forward to 2024, and the tables have turned. Eight of the top ten highest-paid men’s players are Indian, with only one foreigner, Yibbi Jansen of the Netherlands, making it to the top ten in the women’s category. The likes of Harmanpreet Singh, Abhishek, Hardik Singh, Amit Rohidas, Sumit, and Manpreet Singh have established themselves as world-class players, making them the preferred choice for franchises.
Foreign Players Take a Backseat
Some surprising trends emerged during the auction. Delhi SG Pipers spent Rs 18 lakh on German star Christopher Ruhr, but Rs 20 lakh on Ankit Pal, who has yet to make his senior national team debut. Similarly, Tamil Nadu Dragons invested Rs 24 lakh in local boy Selvam Karthi, while Australian ace Nathan Ephraums was sold for a relatively modest Rs 17 lakh. This shift in focus towards Indian players could be attributed to the franchises’ faith in their ability to deliver in a home competition, or the playing conditions that require seven out of eleven players to be Indian.
Big Money for Dragflickers
As modern hockey hinges on scoring goals, it’s no surprise that dragflickers were in high demand. Harmanpreet Singh, Gonzalo Peillat, Jip Janssen, Jeremy Hayward, Kane Russell, Blake Govers, and Yibbi Jansen were among the top earners, with their exceptional penalty corner skills making them invaluable assets to their teams.
Asian Hockey’s Absence
In a surprising turn of events, no men or women players from other Asian countries will feature in the Hockey India League. Despite Japan’s presence in the men’s auction, Malaysia and South Korea were conspicuous by their absence. The Chinese women’s team, which won silver in Paris, also failed to make an impact.
Women’s Teams Struggle with Limited Purse
The women’s teams faced a significant challenge, with a limited purse of Rs 2 crore to assemble a squad of 24 players. This led to a confusing scenario, where top players kept their base price high, only to see their value plummet when the number of teams reduced to four. The HIL Governing Committee’s mid-auction intervention, allowing players to lower their base price, brought some relief, but several top players, including Monika, remained unsold. A slightly larger purse would have benefited all parties, ensuring players were valued at their true worth.
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