HIL Player Auction, Day 1: Harmanpreet Singh Tops The Chart As Highest-Paid Pick In First Half

Harmanpreet Singh joined Soorma Hockey Club for ?78 lakh, making the Punjab-based team the highest spender on a player so far in the auction

Outlook Sports Desk

Updated on: 13 October 2024 6:38 pm

harmanpreet-singh-india-hockey-team-captain-paris-olympics-ap-photo

India captain Harmanpreet Singh is the most expensive player in the first half of the Hockey India League Player Auction 2024/25. Photo: AP

Harmanpreet Singh, the "Sarpanch Sahab" of Indian hockey, shines as the most expensive player in the first half of the Hockey India League Player Auction 2024/25. The auction kicked off in thrilling fashion, with all eight franchises making big moves to secure key Indian Men's Hockey team players. (Live Blog | More Sports News)

Harmanpreet has been sold to Soorma Hockey Club for ?78 lakh, making the Punjab-based team the highest spender on a player so far in the auction.

Gurjant Singh (19 lakh) was the first buy, while star drag-flicker, and Harmanpreet Both players were acquired by Soorma Hockey Club, owned by JSW Sports.

Abhishek became the second-most expensive buy, acquired by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for 72 lakh, while Hardik Singh went to UP Rudras for 70 lakh.

Other notable buys from the first lot included Amit Rohidas (for 48 lakh to Tamil Nadu Dragons), Jugraj Singh (for 48 lakh to Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers), and Sumit (for 46 lakh to Hyderabad Toofans).

Meanwhile, among the overseas goalkeepers, Ireland's David Harte was the top buy, with Tamil Nadu Dragons winning the bid for 32 lakh.

Germany's Jean-Paul Danneberg (for 27 lakh to Hyderabad Toofans), the Netherlands' Pirmin Blaak (for 25 lakh to Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers), and Belgium's Vincent Vanasch (for 23 lakh to Soorma Hockey Club) were also acquired. Indian goalkeepers Suraj Karkera was acquired for 22 lakh by Team Gonasika, and Pawan for 15 lakh by Delhi SG Pipers.