Big money buys Harmanpreet Singh, Udita Duhan is happy to play in the Hockey India League

Harmanpreet Singh was acquired from Soorma Club in the Hockey India League.

After three days of intense bidding wars, eight men’s and four women’s teams are ready to compete in the Hockey India League 2024-25 in December. Indian Hockey Team defenders Harmanpreet Singh and Udita were the most wanted players at the auction of the much-awaited return of the Hockey India League. Udita was acquired by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for ₹32 lakh while Soorma Hockey Club bagged Harmanpreet Singh for ₹78 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 looking to outbid each other at the men’s auction on October 13 and 14. At the women’s auction on October 15, Soorma Hockey Club, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Delhi SG Pipers and Odisha Warriors competed to form the league’s strongest squad with 24 players.

As the Hockey India League returns after a seven-year hiatus, the league’s return coincides with the launch of a Women’s Hockey India League, the first of its kind in India. The Women’s Hockey India League will be held alongside the Men’s Hockey League and its finale will be held on January 26 in Ranchi.

Udita, the defender of the Indian women’s hockey team, outbid several famous international hockey stars to become the highest purchase of the auction at Rs 32 lakh for the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers. At the end of the auction, some of her notable teammates included three-time Olympic gold medalist Eva Roma Maria Drummond of the Netherlands and Vandana Katariya, the most capped player in the history of Indian women’s hockey.

Also read: Hockey India League: The five most expensive Indian players at the women’s auction

“Hockey India is breaking barriers and setting new standards by hosting a Women’s Hockey India League concurrently with the Men’s Hockey India League. For most of us, it was our first time registering for an auction and the entire team was excited to be a part of it,” commented Udita.

“This will be a good opportunity to showcase our skills and develop as athletes by playing with players of different nationalities. We are all committed to giving 100 percent to the league. I am happy to be the top buy of the Hockey India League and would like to thank Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for reposing their trust in me. They have formed an impressive team and I can’t wait to get on the pitch and aim to win the league,” she added.

All eight men’s teams engaged in a fierce bidding war for Indian men’s hockey team captain and two-time Olympic bronze medalist Harmanpreet Singh. Ultimately, Soorma Hockey Club came out on top, shelling out a whopping chunk of Rs 78 lakhs out of a total price tag of Rs 4 crores at the auction. The Haryana-Punjab based team roped in other Olympic bronze medalists – Vivek Sagar Prasad and Gurjant Singh – as well as other big names to form a formidable squad.

“I am delighted that the Hockey India League is back and in a wonderful way. When my name came up during the auction, I was excited and mentally hoping that Sardar Singh would bid for me and I would get to play for the Haryana-Punjab region. “It was a huge relief when Soorma Hockey Club finally got me into the auction and I couldn’t have been happier,” revealed Harmanpreet Singh.

“We have a very good looking team at 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 between experienced, well-known players and young players with the potential to be great themselves to become names. “I’m looking forward to playing at HIL again with a great group of players,” he said goodbye.

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