Harmanpreet Singh becomes most expensive buy in Hockey India League auction

Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh became the most expensive buy of the Hockey India League player auction on Sunday after Soorma Hockey Club signed him for Rs 78 lakh for the upcoming season.

Singh has scored 205 goals in 234 appearances for the national senior side.

"THE BIGGEST CATCH! Harmanpreet Singh joins Soorma Hockey Club for Rs78L! A defensive rock and goal-scoring threat! Soorma's roster just got unstoppable! #HILisBack #HILPlayerAuction #HILMensAuction," posted the official X handle of HIL.



The drag-flick specialist was followed by star forward Abhishek, who went for Rs 72 lakh to to Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers. Midfielder and India vice captain Hardik Singh Joined UP Rudras for Rs 70 Lakhs, the third highest bid.

The auctions for the competition, making its return after seven years, are taking place from October 13 to 15.

The revamped HIL 2024-25 will feature 8 men's teams and 6 women's teams, marking the first standalone women's league in the country that will run concurrently with the men's competition. In its previous edition back in 2017, Kalinga Lancers had become the champion, beating Dabang Mumbai for the title.

The league will get underway on December 28 with matches played in two venues -- Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha. The women's league will conclude on January 26, 2025 in Ranchi, while the men's final is slated for February 1, 2025 in Rourkela.