Hockey India League: Soorma signs Harmanpreet for Rs 78 lakh, Hardik joins UP

The Hockey India League 2024 auction lived up to its high expectations as marquee Indian players Harmanpreet Singh and Hardik Singh attracted massive bids.

India’s Paris Olympics bronze-medal-winning captain and 2024 Asian Champions Trophy victor, Harmanpreet Singh, was a highlight of the auction. The drag-flick specialist was signed by Soorma Hockey Club of Punjab for a whopping Rs 78.1 lakhs after a fierce bidding war.

Competing franchises, including Hyderabad Toofans, SG Delhi Pipers, and Tamil Nadu Dragons, all fought to acquire Harmanpreet, but he eventually joined his home state team, where he would be joined by fellow stars Gurjant Singh and Prasad Vivek Sagar.

Harmanpreet had been widely speculated to join SG Delhi Pipers, where his former teammate PR Sreejesh now serves as Director of Hockey, but the Punjab franchise won the race.

Another key signing was Hardik Singh, who caused one of the day’s most intense bidding wars. After competitive offers from multiple teams, Hardik was snapped up by UP Rudras for Rs 70 lakhs. The UP-based franchise also secured another high-profile signing, bringing in Lalit Yadav for Rs 28 lakhs.

Other notable stars in HIL auction
Other notable signings in the auction included forward Mandeep Singh and midfielder Manpreet Singh, who were both roped in by Team Gonasika. Mandeep Singh was signed for Rs 25 lakhs, while Manpreet Singh fetched Rs 42 lakhs, making them a powerful duo for their new team.

The auction showcased the growing demand and value of top Indian talent, setting the stage for an exciting season of the revamped Hockey India League.