Hockey India League Auction Heats Up
The highly anticipated Hockey India League auction resumes in New Delhi, with the eight men’s teams continuing to build their squads for the tournament set to begin in late December. The first day of the auction saw India captain Harmanpreet Singh emerge as the highest-paid player, with a staggering Rs 78 lakh price tag.
Dragflickers in High Demand
Overseas dragflickers proved to be highly sought after, with the top three highest-paid players falling under this category. Germany’s Gonzalo Peillat joined the Hdyerabad Toofans for Rs 68 lakh, while Dutchman Jip Janssen went to the Tamil Nadu Dragons for Rs 54 lakh. Australia’s Jeremy Hayward was also picked up by Soorma HC for Rs 42 lakh.
National Team Stars Shine
Abhishek and Hardik Singh, national team stars, breached the Rs 70 lakh mark, with Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers and UP Rudras securing their services respectively. With only eight overseas players allowed in each squad, franchises will need to focus on building a strong Indian core.
Junior Indian Players Take Center Stage
Every franchise is required to have at least four junior Indian players in their 24-man squad. This rule emphasizes the importance of developing young Indian talent and ensuring that overseas players complement them effectively.
Day Two of the Auctions
The second day of the auctions promises to be just as exciting, with several fancied overseas stars set to go under the hammer. Australia’s Blake Govers, the Belgian pair of Alexander Hendrickx and Tom Boon, and Dutch captain Thierry Brinkman are all expected to be in high demand. Will the franchises find the perfect balance between Indian and overseas talent?
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