Five most expensive players from Women's Hockey India League Auctions

The historic Women's Hockey India League concluded as the four teams filled their rosters with 24 players.

With just a budget of 2 crores for 24 players, the teams spent miserly and went big when they wanted the player badly.

Here are the most expensive picks from the women's Hockey India League auction 2024:

#1 Udita- Rarh Bengal Tigers - 32 lakhs

Indian defender Udita Dhuan who is known for her penalty corner speciality was the most expensive player in the women's HIL auction as the Rarh Bengal Tigers broke the bank to secure her services for 32 lakhs.

Udita recently completed her 100 caps at the Olympic qualifiers earlier this year and was part of the squad that failed to make it to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

With experience in defense and PCs, Udita will lead the Indian core of the Bengal Tigers.

#2 Yibbi Jansen- Odisha Warriors- 29 lakhs

One of the best drag flickers in the world Dutch hockey player Yibbi Jansen was the most expensive foreign player as Odisha Warriors picked her up for 29 lakhs.

The 24-year-old is part of the current Olympic and World Champion and is a definite source of goals for any team. She will be working under her fellow countrymate Janneke Schopman at Odisha Warriors.

#3 Lalremsiami- Rarh Bengal Tigers- 25 lakhs

Indian young forward Lalremsiami attracted interest from bidders as Rarh Bengal Tigers went on to pick her for 25 lakhs.

The 24-year-old forward has been part of the Asian Games squads which won bronze in 2022 and silver in 2018. Moreover, she was also part of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics side which finished fourth.

With 147 games under her belt, the player has scored 38 goals for the national team so far.

#4 Sunileta Toppo- Delhi SG Pipers- 24 lakhs

Hailing from the hockey belt of Odisha, Sundargarh, Sunileta Toppo is a 17-year-old forward who will ply her trade for Delhi SG Pipers in the Hockey India League.

The Delhi-based outfit bought her for 24 lakhs in the auctions.

Sunileta caught everyone's eye during the Indian junior team’s title-winning campaign at the Junior Asia Cup in Japan last year where she scored five goals. She was then picked for the Junior World Cup where she scored two goals.

#5 Sangita Kumari- Delhi SG Pipers- 22 lakhs

Sangita Kumari is a 23-year-old forward from Jharkhand and was bought by Delhi SG Pipers for 22 lakhs.

She made her senior debut in 2022 during the FIH Pro League season where she scored in her very first match against Spain.

She was a part of the senior side which won a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games, a bronze at the Commonwealth Games 2022, and, titles at FIH Nations Cup 2022 and Asian Champions Trophy 2023.