New Delhi, 24 August 2015: With the Hockey India League (HIL) auctions slated to be held on 17 September 2015 at New Delhi, all six franchisees are already working on their strategy to create the most competitive and winning team formation for the HIL 2016 & 2017. The franchisees retained their choice of players and released the rest of the squad last month. Many leading names in the field of hockey are up for grabs including the Indian Men Team captain Sardar Singh who was released by Delhi Waveriders and Jamie Dwyer by Jaypee Punjab Warriors (JPW).
The biggest challenge that the teams may face is to match talent with the money in their kitty. The key will be to create a team complete with defenders, attackers, goalkeeper and penalty corner specialists within the limited budget. The franchisee are however upbeat and have their plans in place to bid for the players of their choice.
Delhi Waveriders (DWR) releasing its captain Sardar Singh and drag flicker Rupinder Pal Singh would have made the remaining franchisees happy as each would be aiming to get these two on their side. While one is regarded as among the best mid-fielder on the field today, the second is seen as lethal when he flicks to convert the penalty corner. Another two players who were a surprise release were Lloyd Norris-Jones who has left the opponents frustrated on many occasions through his attacking skills and Akashdeep Singh who is known to sneak in the important goals through his minimum reaction time in the opponents D.
Uttar Pradesh Warriors (UPW) released two important young Indian players – Nikkin and Nithin Thimmaiah along with the dependable SK Uthappa giving a good option for the franchisees to bid for the released Forwards. Having not retained the dependable Goalkeeper George Bazeley, further makes the upcoming auctions interesting as the choice to pick up from experienced players increases. Also with Pardeep Mor available for the auctions will even prove to be a good pick for the franchisees.
The release of Chinglensana Singh by Dabang Mumbai gives many the options to get him on board with the hope that he will get them fantastic goals just the kind he successfully delivered for his team last season. Also with Mathew Swann and Glenn Turner all set to feature in the auctions, the franchisees will not mind having the experience of the two on their side.
Jamie Dwyer post being released by JPW will have every franchisee working on all combinations to ensure that they are able to bring him in their team. Known for his speed and ability to tear at the heart of the opponents defence, he can turn the game in his team's favour at any given time. Apart from him names like Kieran Govers, Sandeep Singh as well as Lucas Rey will go strong on the auction table.
Kalinga Lancers with its release of foreign players helps the respective pool for auctions get bigger as there would be names like Gonzalo Peillat, Glenn Simpson and Lucas Villa to buy from. With Harjot Singh all set to get auctioned yet again, the franchisees will have a world class goalkeeper to bid for.
Post making the obvious choice of holding back its six key players, Ranchi Rays had to release names like Trent Mitton, Moritz Fuerste, Austin Smith, Justin Reid-Ross along with Sushant Tirkey, Mandeep Singh and Stanli Victor Minz.
Apart from the released players from each team, many new players will also be available through the bidding process for the first time. Young and agile goalkeeper Akash Chikte who made many heads turn during this year's 5th Hockey Indian National Championship along with Sunil Yadav who has to his credit of scoring 10 goal for his state team will have every franchisee actively bidding for.
Amongst the foreign players there are many names who are vying to be part of Hockey India League. Looking at getting picked up during the auctions will be Patrick Harris the USA Midfielder/Forward, Mathew Dawson the Australian Defender / Midfielder, Swedish Forward Johan Björkman to name a few.
The HIL Auction 2015 will be conducted by renowned auctioneer Bob Hayton of London, who has 30 years of experience in this profession.
The HIL Auction 2015 will be held on 17 September 2015 at Hotel The Lalit in New Delhi.
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