Aggressive Bidding for Top Drag-Flickers Stole the Show in Hockey India League Auctions
Drag-flickers have a crucial role to play in modern hockey. The importance of drag-flickers can be gauged from the fact that in tight games goals scored in set-pieces often prove the difference between the winner and loser, especially in scenarios where field goals are hard to come by. No wonder, the franchise owners (along with the coaches and backroom staff) at the revived 6th Hockey India League Player’s Auctions were extremely mindful of the ‘significance of roping in quality drag-flickers’. Tamil Nadu Dragons – owned by the Charles Group – must be a happier lot among all franchises having the services of two of the world’s best drag-flickers.
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The Chennai franchise bought prolific Australian drag-flicking forward Blake Govers for Rs 27 lakhs – the Kookaburras players enjoys an impressive goal-scoring ratio and would be a big asset for the southern franchise and had to fend off competition from Team Gonasika. This comes on the heels of Tamil Nadu Dragons utch drag-flicker Jip Janssen for Rs 54 lakhs amidst stiff competition from Delhi SG Pipers and Hyderabad Toofans. They have a third drag-flicking option in Indian drag-flicker Amit Rohidas whom they bought for Rs 48 lakhs.
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There was rapt attention on Gonzallo Peillat when his name came under the hammer. The Argentinean, who now plays for Germany, was intensely pursued by Delhi SG Pipers and Vedanta Kalinga Lancers before they outbidded by Hyderabad Toofans for Rs 68 lakhs. The biggest excitement was reserved for Indian skipper and one of the world’s top drag-flickers Harmanpreet Singh – he was snapped up by Soorma Hockey Club – owned by JSW Sports for a whopping Rs 78 lakhs and is also the richest player of the auctions. The Punjab franchise also hired Australian drag-flicker Jeremy Hayward for Rs 42 lakhs – the ‘H’ combo of Harmanpreet and Hayward would surely make the opposition sweat.
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Champion Belgium drag-flicker Alexander Hendrickxx would really beef up the Vedanta Kalinga Lancers drag-flicking department not to speak of his defending skills. The Odisha franchise was keen to have the ace Belgium player from the start and sounded chuffed with the buying. He would have for company young Indian drag-flicker Sanjay, who made his Olympic debut at Paris, as the Odisha franchise after engaging in stiff competition with Soorma Hockey Club and Hyderabad Toofans.
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Sharchi Rarf Bengal Tigers lapped up talented Indian drag-flicker Jugraj Singh for Rs 48 lakhs amid strong competition from Delhi SG Pipers. The Bengal franchise consolidated its drag-flicking department with Rs 12.5 lakhs buying of international retired and seasoned Rupinder Pal Singh. Team Gonasika had the last laugh buying young Indian drag-flicking forward Araijeet Singh Hundal for Rs 42 lakhs – the Ranchi franchise also snapped up India junior drag-flicker Amir Ali for Rs 34 lakhs.
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Delhi SG Pipers bought Olympian drag-flicker Varun Kumar for Rs 34 lakhs, while experienced New Zealand drag-flicker Kane Russel was roped in by UP Rudras for Rs 30 lakhs. The intense bidding among the franchises showed their keenness to have the best of the drag-flickers in their teams.
