After UP Rudras announced their withdrawal from the Hockey India League (HIL) just a couple of days before the mini auction, there was no clarity until late on Wednesday morning on the fate of the franchise’s players, which included India vice-captain Hardik Singh and Olympic medallist Lalit Upadhyay among others. Minutes before the auction, however, Hockey India announced that the team would be ‘adopted’ by the league’s governing council.
Additionally, The Indian Express understands that Hockey India is likely to waive off franchise fees for the next three seasons. The step, taken two days after the UP franchise pulled out due to financial concerns, is aimed at easing the financial burden on the teams. When the league was restarted after a seven-year hiatus, the franchise owners had to pay a fee of Rs 7 crore per season for the men’s team and Rs 3 crore for the women’s team. So, for a franchise that has a team in both leagues, it came to Rs 10 crore just as participation fees. It is learnt that Hockey India is now set to cover those costs for the next three seasons to ease the financial strain on franchises.
The UP Rudras pulled out of the competition last weekend due to concerns regarding financial sustainability. “This was not an easy call,” said Team Director Cedric D’Souza. “We value what the league has brought to Indian hockey, but sustainability challenges made continuation untenable.”
Their decision threw the auction process into uncertainty, with the fate of the players unknown till Wednesday morning. Before the process began, Hockey India said in a statement: “HIL Governing Council today announced that it has taken over the operations of the UP Rudras franchise for the upcoming Hero HIL 2026 season. The Governing Council will manage and run the new team’s affairs until a new franchise owner comes forward. The Council remains open to discussions with interested parties who may wish to acquire the new franchise. This step has been taken to ensure that UP Rudras players participate in Hero HIL 2026 and to maintain the competitive balance of the League.”
In his opening address ahead of the mini auction on Wednesday, former India captain and HI president, Dilip Tirkey, said that the decision came after a suggestion from the franchises. “Just two days before, UP Rudras withdrew from the league. I would like to inform that Hockey India League’s governing council will run the team, based on the franchises’ suggestion, Hockey India will adopt the UP Rudras squad,” Tirkey said.
The organisation’s Secretary General Bholanath Singh said the search for a new owner was underway. “We will also continue to try to get new owners, but even otherwise, I’d like to assure you all that we’d run the team to the best of our abilities,” Singh added.
After HI met with franchises on the morning of the auction, the list of retained players from the UP Rudras squad was announced by the league, including Hardik and Lalit among the Indians and star English goalkeeper James Mazarelo, among others. At the auction table, selector RP Singh, former India players Zafar Iqbal and Romeo James were tasked with building the squad.
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Lakra, Monika top Indian buys at auction
Meanwhile, in the men’s auction, Australia’s Liam Henderson was the most expensive signing, being picked up by Vedanta Kalinga Lancers for Rs 42 Lakhs. While the top Netherlands players are not part of the squads in both men’s and women’s leagues, 35-year-old Sander de Wijn was signed by Tamil Nadu for Rs 36 Lakhs. German star Thies Prinz was signed by HIL Governing Council for Rs 36 Lakhs as well. Among Indians, junior India goalkeeper Vivek Lakra went for a handsome sum of Rs 23 lakhs after starting with a base price of INR 2 Lakhs, as defending champions Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers signed him up in one of the standout buys of the day.
In the women’s auction, the Argentines were expected to dominate and it panned out just that way. From the world No 2 Las Leonas, star drag flicker Agustina Gorzelany was signed by Bengal Tigers for Rs 42 Lakhs while her teammates Granatto Maria Jose and Valentina Raposo went to JSW Soorma Hockey Club for Rs 34 Lakhs and Bengal Tigers for Rs 30 Lakhs. Among Indians, Monika – who was unsold before last edition – became the costliest home player of the auction, also going to Bengal Tigers for Rs 15 Lakhs. Udita, last edition’s most expensive player, went to Delhi SG Pipers for Rs 10 lakh.
