The opening day of the Hockey India League (HIL) Player Auction 2024/25 was an exhilarating event, featuring 54 players, including 18 international stars. On Sunday, all eight franchises collectively invested over Rs. 16 crores, with core players from the Indian men’s hockey team and top overseas drag-flickers attracting significant bids.
Gurjant Singh (Rs. 19 lakh) was the first player to go under the hammer, while star drag-flicker and Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh (Rs. 78 lakh) emerged as the costliest buy on the opening day of the HIL 2024/25 Player Auction. Both players were acquired by Soorma Hockey Club. Abhishek became the second-most expensive buy of the day, acquired by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for Rs. 72 lakh, while Hardik Singh went to UP Rudras for Rs. 70 lakh.
Germany’s Gonzalo Peillat was the most expensive overseas player, purchased for Rs. 68 lakh, along with the Netherlands’ Jip Janssen, who was acquired for Rs. 54 lakh by Tamil Nadu Dragons. According to Hockey India’s press release, other notable buys from the first lot included Amit Rohidas (Rs. 48 lakh to Tamil Nadu Dragons), Jugraj Singh (Rs. 48 lakh to Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers), Sumit (Rs. 46 lakh to Hyderabad Toofans), and Araijeet Singh Hundal (Rs. 42 lakh to Team Gonasika).
The Netherlands’ duo of Lars Balk and Duco Telgenkamp were also among the day’s top buys. Balk was acquired for Rs. 40 lakh by UP Rudras, while Telgenkamp was bought for Rs. 36 lakh by Tamil Nadu Dragons. Foreign goalkeepers—Ireland’s David Harte (Rs. 32 lakh to Tamil Nadu Dragons), Germany’s Jean-Paul Danneberg (Rs. 27 lakh to Hyderabad Toofans), and the Netherlands’ Pirmin Blaak (Rs. 25 lakh to Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers)—also fetched significant bids.
The HIL 2024 player auction, being held in Delhi on October 13, 14, and 16, will witness more than 500 players going under the hammer.
List of Top Five Buys from Day 1:
1. Harmanpreet Singh (IND) – Soorma Hockey Club – Rs. 78 lakh
2. Abhishek (IND) – Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – Rs. 72 lakh
3. Hardik Singh (IND) – UP Rudras – Rs. 70 lakh
4. Gonzalo Peillat (GER) – Hyderabad Toofans – Rs. 68 lakh
5. Jip Janssen (NED) – Tamil Nadu Dragons – Rs. 54 lakh
Purse Remaining for Franchises:
1. Hyderabad Toofans – Rs. 204.00 lakh
2. Soorma Hockey Club – Rs. 162.00 lakh
3. Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers – Rs. 144.50 lakh
4. Delhi SG Pipers – Rs. 181.00 lakh
5. Tamil Nadu Dragons – Rs. 196.00 lakh
6. UP Rudras – Rs. 206.00 lakh
7. Kalinga Lancers – Rs. 257.00 lakh
8. Team Gonasika – Rs. 161.00 lakh.
