The HIL player auction began with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games bronze medallists, and it was no surprise to see Hardik and Harmanpreet cause the most intense bidding war.

Harmanpreet is one of the foremost drag-flickers in the world currently and was the overall top-scorer at Paris 2024 with 10 goals. Harmanpreet scored six goals during the 2017 Hockey India League and was named Upcoming Player of the Tournament. At the Asian Champions Trophy recently, he crossed the 200-goal milestone and currently has 205 goals in 234 appearances for the Indian team.

“There could be nothing better for Indian hockey than the Hockey India League. It was a great learning experience the last time around and I am sure all hockey players are excited to take part in the League. It will be a great opportunity for the youngsters as well to rub shoulders with the best players from across the globe, observe the subtle differences in the way they think, the way they play and try to inculcate the good habits that they notice,” Harmanpreet had told Hockey India recently.

A short while before Harmanpreet’s bid – likely to be the most expensive at this auction – Hardik fetched a handsome sum from the Lucknow franchise. The Indian vice captain is one of the best midfielders in a world, his all-round game making him the heartbeat of the national side. He too is a two-time Olympic bronze medallist.

Fomer India captain Manpreet Singh was signed up by Vizag franchise Team Gonasika for Rs 42 lakh,

The auction will unfold over three days, with the men’s auction taking place on 13th and 14th October, followed by the women’s auction on 15th October. Each franchise will build a 24-player squad, comprising 16 Indian players (including four junior players) and 8 foreign players.

(More to follow)