The Mens Hockey India League 2024-25 is scheduled to begin on December 28. The competition will last for about a month, with the finals scheduled for February 1. The Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, which is the world's largest fully equipped hockey stadium, will host most of the matches, while some matches will take place at alternate venues.
Apart from Indian names, stars from top hockey playing nations like the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Australia will also feature. Let's now take a look at 5 players capable of doing wonders in the Men's Hockey India League 2024-25.
Harmanpreet Singh, who won the Upcoming Player Award in the previous edition of the Hockey India League in 2017, is now a two-time Olympic medallist, India's 'Sarpanch' and one of the greats of the game, having scored 212 goals in 241 matches. Not surprisingly, the 28-year-old was the most expensive player in the auction when Surma Hockey Club acquired his services for a price of Rs 78 lakh. One of the best defenders in the world and one of the best drag-flickers in the world, Harmanpreet has scored 212 goals in 241 international matches. He was the leading goal-scorer at the Paris Olympics 2024 with 10 goals and was recently declared the 'FIH Player of the Year 2024.
Hardik Singh was the third most expensive player in the HIL auction, as UP Rudra bought him for Rs 70 lakh. The midfielder has been a vital part of both teams, winning two consecutive Olympic medals. Although he is an occasional goalscorer, as evidenced by his 11 goals in 142 appearances for the senior team, the 26-year-old is known as a wizard who knows how to make things happen. Carrying the ball through the middle, creating chances and dropping back when needed- all aspects of Hardik's game will be needed by Rudra, as he leads the star-studded midfield.
Kalinga Lancers spent the most money in the auction, buying Belgian defender Alexander Hendrickx for Rs 23 lakh. Undoubtedly one of the best drag flickers in the world currently, he is also a strong defender. The 31-year-old was part of the victorious teams at the 2018 World Cup and Tokyo Olympics 2020. He has been consistent as ever, scoring 10 goals in 12 matches in the FIH Pro League 2023-24 and scoring a goal in all but one of the six matches at the Paris Olympics 2024. Overall, Hendricks has scored 168 goals in 198 international matches.
Drag-flicker Gonzalo Peillat was bought by Hyderabad Hurricanes for Rs 68 lakh, making him the most expensive foreign player at the auction. He was part of the Argentina team that won the gold medal at the 2016 Olympics. He also played a key role in Germany's 2023 World Cup win as well as the silver medal at the 2024 Olympics. The 32-year-old Peillat has played over 150 international matches and scored over 180 goals. He also scored four goals in Paris, including one in the semi-final. The form of world-class defender Peillat will determine how the tournament goes for the Hurricanes.
Former veteran Indian drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh, who was a vital member of the bronze medal-winning team at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, is one name everyone will be watching out for. The 34-year-old Rupinder was not picked by many, perhaps because he has received less playing time since he last played for India in 2021. Shree Rath Bengal Tigers bought the defender for Rs 12.5 lakh. A fine defender and a scorer of 125 goals in 223 matches, Rupinder would want to prove that he still has a lot of fire left in him.
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