Hockey India League Auction Trends: Rise of Indian Players and Value of Dragflickers

A rigorous three-day auction for the Hockey India League ended on Tuesday, filling positions for eight men's teams and four women's teams with a total of 24 players. All teams strived to achieve a balanced team, but the actual turnout on the field still remains to be seen.

The auction revealed some interesting trends, some more evident than others. One such observation has been the noticeable rise of Indian players from 2013 to 2024. In 2013, during the initial Hockey India League auction, foreign players were significantly in demand, with four out of the six most expensive players being foreigners. Now in 2024, the trend has noticeably shifted, with eight out of the top ten highest-paid men's players being from India, revealing considerable growth in the domestic talent pool.

In 2013, Indian hockey was not performing at its optimum, with the men's team finishing last at the 2012 London Olympics. Progress over eleven years has resulted in two Olympic medals, along with a roster boasting world-class Indian players. The importance given to Indian players by the franchises in the auction mirrors this progression.

In addition, some renowned foreign players were bought at lower prices than expected. This could be attributed to the belief in the potential of Indian players and their capability to perform in home competitions or due to the regulation that a substantial part of the team - seven out of 11 players - must be Indian.

Lastly, considerable attention and money were given to dragflickers, reflecting the sport's evolution and the importance of scoring goals. This was a predicted trend as most successful teams have at least one top tier penalty corner expert within their ranks. The high value attached to these players in the auction enforces this belief.