Hero HIL 2026 Men's Auction: Henderson Headlines Big Money Signings as Franchises Invest in Youth and Experience

Image Credit: Hockey India

The Hero Hockey India League men's mini auction concluded successfully on September 24, 2025, with Australian midfielder Liam Henderson emerging as the most expensive acquisition at INR 42 lakhs. The auction, held in New Delhi, showcased franchises' strategic approach of balancing international star power with promising Indian junior talent, setting the stage for an exciting 2026 season.

Liam Henderson captured the spotlight as Vedanta Kalinga Lancers secured the 22 year old Australian midfielder for INR 42 lakhs after an intense bidding war with SG Pipers. Henderson, who made his senior international debut for Australia in 2025, was part of the Kookaburras' recent Oceania Cup winning squad. The young midfielder, who plays for HC Melbourne domestically and previously won silver medals with Australia's U-21 team at the Sultan of Johor Cup, represents the future of Australian hockey. Dutch defender Sander de Wijn commanded INR 36 lakhs from Tamil Nadu Dragons, bringing veteran experience to the franchise. The 35 year old Olympic silver medallist from 2012 London Olympics has accumulated 161 caps for the Netherlands, making him one of the most experienced international players in the league. Despite not being part of the current Dutch squad, de Wijn's defensive expertise and leadership qualities made him a valuable acquisition. German forward Thies Prinz, fresh from winning Olympic silver at Paris 2024, was snapped up by the HIL Governing Council for INR 36 lakhs. The 27 year old played a crucial role in Germany's run to the Olympic final, scoring in the gold medal match against the Netherlands. Prinz's international pedigree includes appearances in multiple FIH Pro League seasons and the 2023 World Cup. However, the auction's standout story was the remarkable bidding for Indian junior players, with goalkeeper Vivek Lakra stunning the auction room by commanding INR 23 lakhs from defending champions Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, despite his base price of just INR 2 lakhs. The 17 year old from Sundargarh, Odisha, has already made his mark by winning gold with Odisha at the Khelo India Youth Games and being adjudged the best goalkeeper at multiple state level tournaments. Midfielder Adrohit Ekka triggered another fierce bidding battle between JSW Soorma Hockey Club and Tamil Nadu Dragons before the Dragons secured him for INR 11 lakhs. Forward Ajeet Yadav was another junior success story, moving from his INR 2 lakh base price to INR 11.5 lakhs with the HIL Governing Council. At just 14 years old, Ketan Kushwaha became the youngest player in the auction pool, with Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers investing INR 2.5 lakhs in the promising forward. A significant development emerged when the HIL Governing Council assumed control of the UP Rudras franchise after their withdrawal due to financial sustainability concerns. The franchise, which featured prominent players like India vice captain Hardik Singh and Olympic medallist Lalit Upadhyay, will now operate under the name 'HIL Governing Council' until new ownership is secured. The governing council retained key players from the original UP Rudras squad, including Hardik Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, and English goalkeeper Sam Ward, while adding new talent through the auction. This intervention ensures the league maintains its eight team structure and competitive balance. The auction reflected franchises' growing confidence in the league's future, with total spending indicating a solid financial health despite recent withdrawals. The emphasis on junior Indian players signals a strategic shift toward developing domestic talent while maintaining international competitiveness through selective overseas signings. With salary caps of INR 4 crores for men's teams, franchises demonstrated careful planning in balancing star signings with squad depth. The upcoming HIL 2026 season promises to showcase this blend of international expertise and emerging Indian talent when the league commences in January 2026. The successful completion of the auction, despite organizational challenges, reinforces the HIL's position as India's premier hockey competition and its commitment to nurturing the next generation of hockey stars while maintaining world class standards through international participation.