Gonzalo Peillat Joins Hyderabad Toofans in Record HIL Auction
The Hockey India League (HIL) is back after seven years, and the player auction has already made headlines. The Hyderabad Toofans secured top forward Gonzalo Peillat for 68 lakhs, the highest bid for a foreign player. Peillat, who played for Argentina and now represents Germany, is a World Cup winner.
Indian Stars Shine in Auction
Indian goalkeeper Krishan B Pathak was picked by Kalinga Lancers for 32 lakhs, while young defender Jugraj Singh went to Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for 48 lakhs. Jarmanpreet Singh and Shamsher Singh were both signed by Delhi SG Pipers for 38 lakhs and 42 lakhs, respectively.
International Talent and Top Bids
Foreign players like Argentina’s Tomas Santiago and Netherlands’ Pirmin Blaak were also signed. Harmanpreet Singh, the Indian captain, became the most expensive player at 78 lakhs, joining Soorma Hockey Club. Hardik Singh and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay were also notable signings.
Upcoming HIL Season
The revamped HIL 2024-25 will feature eight men’s teams and six women’s teams, marking the first standalone women’s league in India. The league starts on December 28, with matches in Ranchi and Rourkela, and concludes in early 2025.
Doubts Revealed
Gonzalo Peillat -: Gonzalo Peillat is a famous hockey player from Argentina. He is known for his skills and has played in many international matches.
Hyderabad Toofans -: Hyderabad Toofans is a team in the Hockey India League. They represent the city of Hyderabad in the league.
HIL -: HIL stands for Hockey India League. It is a professional hockey league in India where teams compete against each other.
68 lakhs -: 68 lakhs is a way to say 6.8 million in Indian currency, Rupees. It is a large amount of money used to buy a player for the team.
Krishan B Pathak -: Krishan B Pathak is an Indian hockey player. He is known for being a talented goalkeeper.
Jugraj Singh -: Jugraj Singh is another Indian hockey player. He is known for his strong playing skills.
Harmanpreet Singh -: Harmanpreet Singh is a well-known Indian hockey player. He became the most expensive player in the auction, meaning he was bought for the highest price.
Ranchi and Rourkela -: Ranchi and Rourkela are cities in India. They will host some of the hockey matches in the league.