The Hockey India League (HIL) 2026 mini auctions concluded on Wednesday in New Delhi, with franchises splashing cash on marquee internationals and promising Indian juniors in both men’s and women’s competitions. Over 200 players went under the hammer across the two sessions, showcasing franchises’ strategy of blending experience with emerging talent.In the men’s auction, Australian midfielder Liam Henderson became the most expensive buy at Rs 42 lakh, acquired by Vedanta Kalinga Lancers after a tense bidding battle with SG Pipers. Dutch defender Sander de Wijn joined Tamil Nadu Dragons for Rs 36 lakh, while German forward Thies Prinz was signed by the HIL Governing Council for the same amount.Indian juniors stole the spotlight, with goalkeeper Vivek Lakra emerging as the costliest junior pick at Rs 23 lakh for Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers. Other standout young talents included Adrohit Ekka (Rs 11 lakh, Tamil Nadu Dragons), Ajeet Yadav (Rs 11.5 lakh, HIL Governing Council), and 14-year-old Ketan Kushwaha (Rs 2.5 lakh, Bengal Tigers). Veteran drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh moved to SG Pipers for Rs 12 lakh, adding crucial experience to the league.The HIL Governing Council, now managing the UP Rudras franchise temporarily, strengthened their squad with strategic buys, while Vedanta Kalinga Lancers secured another overseas star, Australian forward Cooper Burns (Rs 34.5 lakh).The women’s auction saw fierce bidding for international stars. Argentine defender Agustina Gorzelany emerged as the most expensive player overall, signed by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for Rs 42 lakh. Fellow Argentine forward María José Granatto went to JSW Soorma Hockey Club for Rs 34 lakh, while defender Valentina Raposo Ruiz de los Llanos joined the Bengal Tigers for Rs 30 lakh.Indian talent also shone brightly. Midfielder Monika, unsold last season, became the costliest Indian player at Rs 15 lakh, also joining Bengal Tigers. Young midfielder Mahima Tete heads to JSW Soorma Hockey Club, teaming up with her sister Salima Tete, while experienced defender Udita returns to Delhi SG Pipers.Across both men’s and women’s auctions, franchises emphasised nurturing young Indian talent while securing high-impact overseas players. With balanced squads featuring goalkeepers, drag-flickers, forwards, and all-rounders, teams are set to deliver thrilling on-field battles in the upcoming HIL 2026 season.Men’s Franchises: Final Squads & New SigningsHIL Governing Council (Formerly UP Rudras)Retained: Prashant Barla (Jr), Priyobarta Talem (Jr), Manmeet Singh, Gurjot Singh, Prashant Kumar Chauhan, Surender Kumar, Hardik Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Sudeep Chirmako, Jasjit Singh Kular, Sebastian Dockier (O), Kane Russell (O), Tanguy Cosyns (O), James Mazarelo (O), James Albery (O), Sam Ward (O)New Buys: Ajeet Yadav (Rs 11.5L), Thies Prinz (Rs 36L), Rahul Yadav (Rs 2L), Mohd Harris (Rs 2L)Hyderabad ToofansRetained: Entire original squadNew Buys: NoneJSW Soorma Hockey ClubRetained: Sukhvinder (Jr), Pradip Mandal (Jr), Vincent Vanasch (O), Jeremy Hayward (O), Nicolás Della Torre (O), Victor Wegnez (O), Nicolas Keenan (O), Dayaan Cassiem (O), Nicolas Poncelet (O), Mohith H S, Harmanpreet Singh, Gurinder Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Harjeet Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Gurjant Singh, Maninder Singh, Pawan Rajbhar, Akashdeep SinghNew Buys: Jeetpal (Rs 3.2L)Ranchi RoyalsRetained: Yashdeep Siwach, Amir Ali (Jr), Anmol Ekka (Jr), Araijeet Singh Hundal (Jr), Suraj Karkera, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Manpreet Singh, Vishnukant Singh, Mandeep Singh, Timothee Clement (O), Timothy Howard (O), Mustapha Cassiem (O), Tom Boon (O)New Buys: Manmeet Singh Rai (Rs 2L), Ashish Purty (Rs 2L), Loick Luypaert (Rs 10L), Sam Lane (Rs 10L), Jack Waller (Rs 10L), Ravneet Singh (Rs 5L), Ashish Purti (Rs 2L)SG PipersRetained: Manjeet, Thokchom Kingson Singh, Rohit (Jr), Ankit Pal (Jr), Dilraj Singh (Jr), Aditya Lalage (Jr), Sourabh Anand Kushwaha (Jr), Pawan, Jarmanpreet Singh, Varun Kumar, Shamsher Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Willott KY (O), Tomas Santiago (O), Gareth Furlong (O), Tomas Domene (O), Jacob Draper (O)New Buys: Roman Duvekot (Rs 10L), Rupinder Pal Singh (Rs 12L), Bram Van Battum (Rs 11L)Shrachi Rarh Bengal TigersRetained: Gursewak Singh (Jr), Hayden Beltz (O), Gauthier Boccard (O), James Carr (O), Sean Findlay (O), Enrique Gonzalez (O), Christopher Rühr (O), Jugraj Singh, Jaskaran Singh, Pradhan Poovanna Chandura, Affan Yousuf, Atul Deep, Pardeep Singh Sandhu, Sukhjeet Singh, AbhishekNew Buys: Parmod (Rs 5L), Vivek Lakra (Rs 23L), Ketan Kushwaha (Rs 2.5L), Ajinkya Jadhav (Rs 2L), Tom Grambusch (Rs 10L)Tamil Nadu DragonsRetained: Pruthvi GM, Arun J (Jr), Prince Deep Singh (Jr), Chandan Yadav (Jr), Amit Rohidas, Anand Lakra, Mohd Raheel Mouseen, Shesha Gowda, Selvam Karthi, Uttam Singh, Thomas Sorsby (O), David Harte (O), Moritz Ludwig (O), Tom Craig (O), Govers Blake (O), Nathan Ephraums (O)New Buys: Adrohit Ekka (Rs 11L), Sushil Dhanwar (Rs 2L), K Selvaraj (Rs 2L), Sander de Wijn (Rs 36L)Vedanta Kalinga LancersRetained: Gursahibjit Singh, Rohit Kullu (Jr), Deepak Pradhan (Jr), Rosan Kujur (Jr), Krishan B Pathak, Sanjay, Partap Lakra, Moriangthem Rabichandra, Dilpreet Singh, Angad Bir Singh, Alexander Hendrickx (O), Arthur van Doren (O), Antoine Kina (O)New Buys: Liam Henderson (Rs 42L), Amit Toppo (Rs 2L), Sunil PB (Rs 2L), Bobby Singh Dhami (Rs 10L), Jed Snowden (Rs 10L), Cooper Burns (Rs 34.5L), Craig Marais (Rs 10L)Women’s Franchises: Final Squads & New SigningsJSW Soorma Hockey ClubRetained: Ajmina Kujur, Jyoti Chhatri (Jr), Mumtaz Khan, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke (Jr), Hina Bano (Jr), Sonam (Jr), Penny Squibb (O), Jimena Maria Cedres (O), Olivia Shannon (O), Savita, Nidhi, Baljeet Kaur, Jyoti, Nisha, Salima TeteNew Buys: Mahima Tete (Rs 2L), Granatto Maria Jose (Rs 34L), Vilar Del Dupuy (Rs 2L), Shihori Oikawa (Rs 5L), Sarah Robertson (Rs 10L)Ranchi RoyalsRetained: Nandni, Sakshi Rana (Jr), Kanika Siwach (Jr), Nikki Pradhan, Deepika Soreng (Jr), Ishika Chaudhary, Neha Goyal, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, Beauty DungDung, Sangita Kumari, Jocelyn Bartram (O), Claire Colwil (O)New Buys: Lucina Von Der Heyde (Rs 14L), Agustina Albertarrio (Rs 15L), Agostina Alonso (Rs 15L), Lalthantluangi (Rs 3.1L), Maria Paula Ortiz (Rs 10L), Annu (Rs 2L), Valerie Magis (Rs 5L), Bichu Devi (Rs 9.8L)SG PipersRetained: Shilpi Dabas, Sharmila Devi, Jyoti Singh (Jr), Manisha (Jr), Sunelita Toppo (Jr), Deepika (Jr), Bansari Solanki, Khaidem Shileima Chanu, Navneet Kaur, Ishika, Kaitlin Jaye Nobbs (O), Victoria Sauze (O)New Buys: Udita (Rs 10L), Thoudam Suman Devi (Rs 5L), Cristina Cosentino (Rs 5L), Costa Biondi Valentina Isabel (Rs 10L), Lola Riera Zuzuarregui (Rs 21L), Teresa Viana Ache (Rs 11L), Preeti Dubey (Rs 2L), Juana Castellaro Morello (Rs 12.5L)Shrachi Rarh Bengal TigersRetained: Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalrinpuii Pachuav (Jr), Manisha Chauhan, Jennifer Rizzo (O), Mahima Choudhary, Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, SonikaNew Buys: Monika (Rs 15L), Gurjit Kaur (Rs 2L), Puja Sahoo (Rs 2L), Agustina Gorzelany (Rs 42L), Valentina Raposo Ruiz de los Llanos (Rs 30L), Victoria Manuele (Rs 2L), Emma Findlay (Rs 5L), Noor Orpa de Baat (Rs 14L), Sukhveer Kaur (Rs 2L), Anjali Gautam (Rs 2L), Sosha Carina Benninga (Rs 5L)
