Almost 280 players, both Indian and foreign, will be in the fray for the 89 vacant slots across six franchises at the second open player auction for the Hockey India League on September 17.
The first open auction was held in 2012 with players signed up by franchises for a period of three years. The teams had an option to retain up to six players each — three Indians and as many foreigners — ahead of the fresh auctions.
The six franchises will bid for players from India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, England, South Africa, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Scotland, Malaysia, Japan and Korea to complete their teams.
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Every team can have a maximum of 20 players, with 12 Indians and eight foreigners. Interestingly, the number of overseas players for the auction is more than the Indians, proving the success of the league across the world.
While defending champion Ranchi Rays, runner-up Jaypee Punjab Warriors and third-placed Delhi Waveriders have all retained the maximum allowed players, Dabang Mumbai held back only three, including Irish goalkeeper David Harte. As such it has the biggest purse available for the auctions.
However, while talks were on for a seventh franchise to join the HIL from the fourth season onwards, that doesn’t appear likely anymore even though Hockey India officials claim talks are still on for a team based in South India.
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