Hockey India League Women's Player Auction Highlights: Franchises Finalize Squads As Bidding Ends

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the player auction for the women's edition of the Hockey India League 2024-25.

Six teams were to take part in the inaugural women's HIL but now we know that only four will do. Soorma Hockey Club, Shrachi Rahr Bengal Tigers, Delhi SG Pipers, and Odisha Warriors are the four sides that will participate in the first season and also in this auction today.

Hyderabad Toofans and a team owned by the BC Jindal Group will be added later this year.

All four teams will have a total purse of Rs 4 crore. They can buy at most 24 players but at least four of them must be junior players (age 21 and below) and at most eight can be overseas signings.

The base price of the players will be Rs 2 lakhs, 5 lakhs and 10 lakhs.

The historic auction will witness over 250 domestic players vying for a spot in the inaugural season of the women's HIL.

India's top women players, including seasoned goalkeeper Savita, national team captain Salima Tete, rising drag-flicker Deepika, the most-capped women's player Vandana Katariya, and forward Lalremsiami are some of the big names from the country.

Additionally, former Indian stalwarts such as Yogita Bali, Lilima Minz, and Namita Toppo have registered, adding further excitement to the auction.

Over 70 overseas players have signed up for the auction. International stars like Delfina Merino (Argentina), Charlotte Stapenhorst (Germany), Maria Granatto (Argentina), Rachael Lynch (Australia), and Nike Lorenz (Germany) are set to participate, ensuring a global spectacle.

We are about to begin soon. The tables are set, the franchise representatives are seated and we look all set to start the player auction for the women's Hockey India League. Four franchises, over 300 players and a day filled with a lot of action.

In the meantime you can check the full squads of all eight men's teams.

So, it begins. Arjun Pandit is the auctioneer. He introduces the dignitaries and the four franchises. A small address from FIH President Dato Tayyab Ikram precedes the introduction. Ikram showers praise on the league and hopes for it to be a big success.

Here we begin. Top 19 Indian players, all of them with a base price of Rs 10 lakhs. Jyoti came up first but there is some problem and we restart again.

Preeti Dubey comes up first and no franchise is interested for the Indian forward. She goes unsold.

Ishika Chaudhary goes to Odisha Warriors for 16 lakhs. She was being fought for by Bengal Tigers and Odisha Warriors and it is the Warriors who win the battle.

Vandana Katariya goes to Bengal Tigers at Rs 10 lakhs. Interestingly there was no bidding war for the Indian international. Bengal get lucky here and somehow no other team bid for Katariya.

Shrachi Rahr Bengal Tigers are in some hurry. They keep bidding and keep bidding to outbid Soorma Hockey Club and get Udita. A good signing as Udita is a solid defender for India.

17-year-old Sunelita Toppo has triggered a bidding war. Delhi SG Pipers and Soorma Hockey Club fight hard and in the end it is the Delhi franchise who come out on top. Toppo goes to Delhi SG Pipers for 24 lakhs.

22 lakhs is what Sangita Kumari will get and she will feature in the women's HIL for Delhi SG Pipers. Some strong bidding from Delhi and Bengal there but Delhi refused to budge till they got their woman.

It was between Bengal Tigers and Delhi SG Pipers early on and later Soorma Hockey Club too joined. But it is Bengal Tigers who stay with Lalremsiami alll through the bidding and get the veteran Indian international for 25 lakhs.

The 22-year-old Indian captain is under the hammer and Delhi SG Pipers and Soorma Hockey Club both want her and why would not they. One of world's best players currently.

Soorma Hockey Club had the Indian men's captain and now have the women's skipper as well. They fight with Delhi SG Pipers for Salima Tete and wrap the bidding up at 20 lakhs.

Another signing by the Soorma Hockey Club and this time it is Vaishnavi Vithal Phalke. She will get 21 lakhs. Odisha and Bengal were bidding for Phalke but Soorma sneak in at the right time to get the player.

Neha Goyal's opening bid of 10 lakh is her last bid too and Odisha Warriors is the side for which the Indian midfielder will play for.

Delhi SG Pipers get Manisha Chauhan for just 12.5 lakhs. Next up is Sharmila Devi who goes to Soorma Hockey Club at the base price for 10 lakhs.

Another brilliant signing from Soorma Hockey Club. Savita Punia will join her captain Salima Tete at Soorma team. All four sides went for Savita but Soorma come up with the bid that mattered. 20 lakhs is what Savita will get.

19 lakhs is what Navneet Kaur will be getting and she will play for Delhi SG Pipers. Nikki Pradhan was bought by Soorma Hockey Club just before Navneet.

Another signing from the Delhi side. This time they get Bichu Devi, India's second-best goal-keeper after Savita Punia. 16 lakh is where Delhi SG Pipers close the bidding.

Some good bidding wars currently going on. All four franchises want the best of the top Indian players. Beauty Dung Dung goes to Odisha Warriors for 12.5 lakhs. Deepika India's young dragflick expert has been signed by Delhi SG Pipers for 20 lakhs. Soorma Hockey Club get Jyoti for 16 lakhs.

Now, we move to foreign players. Expect the auction to slow down a bit as franchises will be really cautious with their forieng signings. Only eight overseas players are to be signed by a franchise. Limited slots available.

Goalkepers Emma Buckley, Yu Kudo do not find bidders. Jocelyn Bartram, Australian goalkeper, has raised some interest. Bengal Tigers and Odisha Warriors jostling for Jocelyn. Warriors win the bid at 15 lakhs. Jocelyn Bartram to play for Odisha Warriors for 15 lakhs.

A dry phase as teams just did not raise the pedal for anyone in this set consisting of foreign goalkeepers. Elodie Picard of Belgium was the lucky one who got signed. Elodie Picard signed by Delhi SG Pipers for 10 lakhs.

Indian goalkeepers up for grabs now.

Indian goalkeepers too do not raise any interest. Aditi Maheshwari, Madhuri Kindo and Bansari Solanki all unsold. We move to overseas forwards now.

Ambre Ballenghien, Belgium forward, has made franchises raise their paddles after a long time. Shrachi Rahr Bengal Tigers get Ambre Ballenghien for 14 lakhs.

Charlotte Englebert, another Belgium forward, has made franchises interested. Soorma Hockey Club sign Charlotte Englebert for 16 lakhs. Finally some bidding on show. A lot of players went unsold in between but the two Belgians managed to heat up the auction again.

Ireland's Kathryn Mullan goes to Bengal Tigers for 10 lakhs. Germany's Charlotte Stapenhorst sees some bidding and it is the Soorma Hockey Club for whom she will play at 16 lakhs. Netherland's Freeke Georgette Marie signed by Odisha Warriors at base price of 10 lakhs.

Now we move on to Indian forwards.

Indian forwards up for grabs now and the first name is Mumtaz. Mumtaz is bagged by Delhi SG Pipers for 11 lakhs. Annu goes to Odisha for 10 lakhs. No takers for anyone else.

Foreign defenders are up for grabs now.

Claire Colwil of Australia sold to Odisha Warriors for 13 lakhs. Ireland's Upton Roisin set to play for Bengal Tigers as they grab her at 10 lakhs. Irealnd's Elena Neill also goes to Bengal Tigers for the same price. Belgium's Emma Purvez signed by Delhi SG Pipers for 10 lakhs and that will end this lot.

Indian defenders come to the party now.

Marina Lalramnghanki sold to Bengal Tigers for 10 lakhs. This is the same amount at which Mahima Choudhury to the same side. Two signings from Bengal but other teams letting most players pass.

Deep Grace Ekka goes to Odisha Warriors for 10 lakhs. The Warriors will be happy with that. A good Indian defender with a lot of experience at base price is a good deal definitely.

Now we move to overseas midfielders.

Overseas midfilers up for grabs now and the first name has triggered a bidding war. Yibbi Jansen becomes the second costliest and the highest paid foreign player at the women's HIL. Odisha Warriors get Jansen, aNetherlands player, for a sum of 29 lakhs. Big signing!

Some quick signings by the franchises. German Nike Lorenz signed by Soorma Hockey Club for Rs 11 lakhs. Sarah Hawkshaw goes to Bengal Tigers for 10 lakhs. Dutch Maria Verschoor is sold at her base price for 10 lakhs. Xan Gerdien de Waard, another player from Netherlands, goes to Delhi SG Pipers for 10 lakhs. Odisha Warriors sign Kaitlin Nobbs for Rs 10 lakh. Another Dutch Eva de Goede will play Bengal Tigers at Rs 10 lakh.

And that will be lunch. We will get some break. 41 players sold in the first round. A lot of money spent. These are the top five highest bids so far in the auction.

• Udita - Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers - 32 lakh

• Yibbi Jansen - Odisha Warriros - 29 lakh

• Lalremsiami - Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers - 25 lakh

• Sunelita Toppo - Delhi SG Pipers - 24 lakh

• Sangita Kumari - Delhi SG Pipers - 22 lakh

So, news coming in that the unsold Indian players have been allowed to reduce their base price to 2 lakh. A win-win for both sides. Players get teams, teams get players that too at reduced prices.

Below is the statement from Hockey India League

The Hockey India League Governing Committee is pleased to announce that it has approved a request from unsold players of the Indian Senior Women's and Junior Women's teams to reduce their base price to 2 lakhs.

This decision comes in response to a collective appeal from the players and demonstrates our commitment to supporting athlete participation and furthering the growth of women's hockey in India.

Key points of this decision include:

1. The base price reduction applies to all previously unsold players from both the Senior and Junior Women's teams.

2. The new base price is set at 2 lakhs, making these talented athletes more accessible to interested franchises.

3. This change aims to increase opportunities for players to be selected and participate in the Hockey India League.

We believe this adjustment will benefit both the players and the league, fostering greater competitiveness and excitement in women's hockey. The Hockey India League remains committed to the development of the sport at all levels and continues to work closely with players to ensure the league's success and growth.

The post-lunch session begins with Bansari Solanki being sold to Delhi SG Pipers for INR 3 lakh. Preeti Dubey then goes unsold, and Jyothi Edula is snapped up by Shrachi Rahr Bengal Tigers for INR 2 lakh. Goalkeeper Madhuri Kindo heads to Odisha Warriors for INR 3.40 lakh, Monika is unsold and Jyoti Chhatri goes to Odisha Warriors for 5 lakh.

Deepika Soreng is acquired by Soorma for 2.20 lakh and Rutaja Dadaso Pisal fetches a winning bid of 4.90 lakh from Odisha Warriors. Akshata Abaso Dhekale and Preeti are both off to Soorma for 3.10 lakh and 2 lakh, respectively. Ropni Kumari the goes unsold, post which a proper bidding war erupts for Baljeet Kaur, who is sold to Odisha Warriors for INR 10 lakh.

Ajmina Kujur finds no takers, and that's it for the senior players.

Thounaojam Nirupama Devi is first to go under the hammer among the juniors, and goes unsold. Delhi SG Pipers acquire Khaidem Shileima Chanu for INR 2.50 lakh and Puja Sahoo goes unsold. Midfielder Huda Khan heads to Shrachi Rahr Bengal Tigers for her base price of 2 lakh, while Hina Bano ends up with Soorma for 3 lakh. Priyanka Yadav goes unsold, Binima Dhan goes to the Bengal Tigers for 2 lakh.

Midfielder Kshetrimayum Sonia Devi finds no takers, and so is the case for Sanjana Horo. Lalrinpuii Pachuav is sold to Bengal Tigers for 2 lakh, while Jyoti Singh is headed to Delhi SG Pipers for 2 lakh. Next up is Munmuni Das, who is bought by Shrachi Rahr Bengal Tigers for 2 lakh. Ashwini Panjab Kolekar is unsold, and Manisha fetches 3.70 lakh from Delhi SG Pipers. Niru Kullu is unsold, and Anjali Barwa, a defender, goes to Odisha Warriors for 2 lakh.

Anisha Sahu, Lalthantluangi and Supriya Kujur go unsold as the action shits to junior core probables. Sakshi Rana then fetches 7 lakh from Odisha Warriors, which is followed by a string of unsold players - Mamita Oram, Nirali Kujur, Yamuna S, Dechamma P G, Rajni Kerketta and Himanshi Sharad Gawande.

Delhi SG Pipers break the deadlock with a 5.40 lakh bid for Ishika. Odisha Warriors procure the services of Kanika Siwach and Engil Harsha Rani Minz for INR 3.10 lakh and 2 lakh, respectively. Forward Sonam heads to Soorma for 2 lakh, while Vidyashree V goes unsold. Soorma also buy goalkeeper Nidhi for 2 lakh, and Geeta Yadav goes to the Delhi SG Pipers for 2 lakh.

A bunch of Indian senior players with INR 10 lakh as their base price, including Ritu Rani and Mahima Tete, go unsold. The next bracket is that of Indian defenders with a base price of 5 lakh, and all of them go unsold too! Then come international defenders, and Lilly Paulin Stoffelsma from Germany is picked by Odisha Warriors for INR 7 lakh. Australia's Penny Squibb heads to Soorma for 6.60 lakh and Belgium's Stephanie de Groof is sold to Delhi SG Pipers for 5 lakh. Giselle Anne Ansley from Great Britain is off to Delhi SG Pipers for 5 lakh.

After Indian midfielder Sonika fetches INR 5.40 lakh from Odisha Warriors, a bunch of her compatriots find no interested teams. The action moves to international midfielders, among which Jimena Maria Cedres from Argentina is snapped up by Soorma for 5.80 lakh and her national teammate Victoria Sauze sold to Odisha Warriors for 6.80 lakh.

No Indian forward sold in this lot, post which we shift to overseas forwards. Netherlands' Michelle Fillet goes to Odisha Warriors for 6.60 lakh and then a number of Indian goalkeepers go unsold. Kiwi goalie Grace O Hanlon breaks the deadlock with a 5 lakh bid from Bengal Tigers, and Indian midfielder Nisha heads to Odisha Warriors for 2.60 lakh. A number of unsold players later, USA custodian Jennifer Rizzo heads to Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for 2.40 lakh and Miri Maroney from Australia to Delhi SG Pipers for 2 lakh. Delhi continue signing players, picking up Elizabeth Ann Neal and Charlotte Watson of Great Britain for 2 lakh apiece.

Indian forwards return, and again find no takers among the franchises. And that's it for the second session. The auction will resume after a short break. Stay tuned for live updates on the other side.

The third and final session of the women's player auction should begin shortly. Remember that today is the final day of the Hockey India League auction process. The men's auction was completed yesterday, post which all eight franchises' 24-member squads were finalized. The same will happen by the end of tonight's proceedings for the four women's teams.

The final session of the day as well as the entire Hockey India League 2024-25 player auction has now begun. This session is witnessing a deviation from the usual bidding process, as all four teams have one slot each left to fill. So instead of the traditional one-by-one auction, the teams are writing the names of the players they wish to buy from the available ones.

Meanwhile, the list of fresh buys has been announced. Preeti Dubey is headed to Delhi SG Pipers for INR 6.7 lakh. Himanshi Gawande is also sold to to Delhi for 2.1 lakh. Natalia Salvador of Chile is off to Soorma Hockey Club for 2 lakh, while the same franchise acquires Anna Toman from Great Britain for 10 lakh. Soorma also get Upasana Singh for 2.1 lakh and Aishwarya for the same price. Meanwhile, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers snap up Vidhyashree V and Priyanka Wankhade, both for 2 lakh. Sushila Chanu too goes to the Bengal Tigers, albeit for 9.5 lakh.

Sadhna Sengar heads to Odisha Warriors for 2.1 lakh, while Shilpi Dabas is sold to Bengal for 2 lakh and Ajmina Kujur is off to Soorma for 2 lakh.

The four slots remaining in the four teams have now been filled. Below are the details:

Manashri is sold to Delhi SG Pipers for INR 2 lakh.

Vandana Patel heads to Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for 2 lakh.

Amanpreet Kaur goes to Soorma Hockey Club for 2 lakh.

Nandini is snapped up by Odisha Warriors for 5 lakh.

Soorma Hockey Club

Salima Tete, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Sharmila Devi, Savita, Nikki Pradhan, Jyoti, Charlotte Stapenhorst (GER), Charlotte Stapenhorst (GER), Nike Lorenz (GER), Maria Verschoor (NED), Deepika Soreng, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, Preeti, Hina Bano, Sonam, Nidhi, Penny Squibb (AUS), Jimena Maria Cedrés (ARG), Natalia Salvador, Anna Toman (GBR), Upasana Singh, Aishwarya Rajesh Chavan, Ajmina Kujur, Amanpreet Kaur.

Delhi SG Pipers

Sunelita Toppo, Sangita Kumari, Manisha Chauhan, Navneet Kaur, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Deepika, Elodie Picard (BEL), Mumtaz Khan, Emma Puvrez (BEL), Xan de Waard (NED), Bansari Solanki, Khaidem Shileima Chanu, Jyoti Singh, Manisha, Ishika, Geeta Yadav, Stephanie De Groof (BEL), Giselle Anne Ansley (GBR), Miri Maroney (AUS), Elizabeth Ann Neal (GBR), Charlotte Watson (GBR), Preeti Dubey, Himanshi, Manashri.

Odisha Warriors

Ishika Chaudhary, Neha Goyal, Jocelyn Bartram (AUS), Freeke Georgette Marie (NED), Annu, Claire Colwil (AUS), Deep Grace Ekka, Yibbi Jansen (NED), Kaitlin Nobbs (AUS), Madhuri Kindo, Jyoti Chhatri, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, Baljeet Kaur, Anjali Barwa, Sakshi Rana, Kanika Siwach, Engil Harsha Rani Minz, Lilly Paulin Stoffelsma (GER), Sonika, Victoria Sauze (ARG), Michelle Fille (NED), Nisha, Sadhna Sengar, Nandini.

Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers

Vandana Katariya, Udita, Lalremsiami, Beauty Dung Dung, Ambre Ballenghien (BEL), Kathryn Mullan (IRL), Upton Roisin (IRL), Elena Neill (IRL), Marima Lalramnghaki, Mahima Choudhary, Sarah Hawkshaw (IRE), Eva Roma Maria (NED), Jyothi Edula, Huda Khan, Binima Dhan, Lalrinpuii Pachuav, Munmuni Das, Jennifer Rizzo (USA), Grace O Hanlon (NZL), Vidyashree, Priyanka Wankhede, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Shilpi Dabas, Vandana Patel.