The 5 most expensive players of the Hockey India League 2016

Modified Oct 02, 2015 00:26 IST

The HIL players auction took place on 17th SeptemberThe introduction of the new scoring rule in the Hockey India League 2016, that a field goal will be counted as two, saw demand for strikers spike up in the players' auction. The auction that concluded on September 17th in New Delhi witnessed some intense bidding and a number of young Indian players fetching respectable bids.Unsurprisingly, it was the overseas specialist strikers who drew the highest bids, with a record amount being spent on one of them. Indian captain and ace midfielder Sardar Singh’s bid was disappointingly low and there was a dark horse wearing the Indian colours amongst the foreigners.Here are the five players who had the highest bids at the recently concluded auction:

#5 Akashdeep Singh - $84,000

A number of precedents were set by the young forward from Punjab. He became the highest paid Indian in the HIL 2016 and the only Indian in the top five. The Uttar Pradesh Wizards paid Rs. 55,18,800 for the ONGC player.

The twenty-one-year-old was quite surprised at the price bid for him and was quick to express the pressure that the title of “Most Expensive Indian” carried with it. He said that he is excited to play alongside Aussie great Jamie Dwyer.

#4 Ashley Jackson - $95,000

The monopoly of the Germans is broken by Englishman Ashley Jackson. With a price tag of Rs. 62,41,500, the three-time Olympian is the fourth player on our list and the only English player on the list.

In 2009, Jackson became the first Englishman to receive the FIH Young Player Of The Year award. The Ranchi Rays paid top dollar to retain their top scorer in the second edition and the captain of the two-time HIL champions.

The 28-year-old forward is Great Britain’s lead goal-scorer and is considered one of the best in the world.

#3 Florian Fuchs - $96,000

Another German Olympic gold medal winner rounds out the top three in Florian Fuchs. The 2012 IHF Young Player Of The Year and one of the world’s best strikers, Fuchs was bought by Dabang Mumbai for Rs. 63,07,200.

The German star stated last year that he was eager to play in the Hockey India League after he completed his studies. And with this eventuality, the exciting Fuchs will certainly have the attention of players and fans alike.

#2 Tobias Hauke - $96,000

The current captain of the German national team will be making his HIL debut this season, with the Uttar Pradesh Wizards. The two-time Olympic gold medallist and 2014 FIH Player Of The Year drew the second highest bid of this season at Rs. 63,07,200.

Hauke’s brilliant midfield defence and on-field presence have resulted in him being only the second player, after Australian legend Jamie Dwyer, to be felicitated with both Junior and Senior Player Of The Year awards.

#1 Moritz Fuerste - $1,05,000

With a bid of 69.16 lakh, German star Moritz Fuerste set a new bid record in the tournament’s albeit short history. The two-time Olympic gold medallist captained the Ranchi Rhinos to the trophy in the inaugral edition of the HIL. He was snared by the Kalinga Lancers after a heated bidding battle between them, Delhi Waveriders and UP Wizards.

Fuerste stated that he is excited by the new scoring rule of one field goal being counted as two and is aware of the onus that this adds to strikers and defenders. He also stated that he is keen to play for the Kalinga Lancers.

Edited by Staff Editor