Argentine Stars Dominate HIL 2026 Women's Auction as Gorzelany Sets Record

Image Credit: Hockey India

The Hero Hockey India League 2026 women's mini auction concluded on September 24, 2025, with Argentine defender Agustina Gorzelany becoming the most expensive player at INR 42 lakhs, while India's Monika emerged from being unsold to becoming the costliest Indian player at INR 15 lakhs. Agustina Gorzelany headlined the auction as Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers secured the two time Olympic medallist for INR 42 lakhs after fierce multi franchise bidding. The 29 year old defender, who won silver at Tokyo 2020 and bronze at Paris 2024 Olympics, brings exceptional experience with 116 senior international matches and 71 goals for Las Leonas. Gorzelany was instrumental in Argentina's junior World Cup victory in 2016 and has been a consistent performer in multiple Pan American Games and World Cups. María José Granatto, the 2022 FIH Pro League Best Player of the World Cup, commanded INR 34 lakhs from JSW Soorma Hockey Club. The 30 year old forward from La Plata has been a cornerstone of Argentine hockey since 2014, winning silver at Tokyo 2020 Olympics and bronze at Paris 2024. Known for her exceptional skills, including the famous through the legs pass that won her the 2022 Poligras Magic Skill Award, Granatto brings proven goal scoring ability with her FIH Rising Star awards from 2016 and 2017. Valentina Raposo Ruiz de los Llanos became another expensive Argentine acquisition at INR 30 lakhs for Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers. The 22 year old defender from Salta was the youngest player in Argentina's Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medal winning squad and continued her success with bronze at Paris 2024. Despite her youth, Raposo has accumulated 51 senior international appearances with 8 goals, establishing herself as a reliable defender in Argentina's defensive structure. The auction's most compelling story was Monika Malik's transformation from being unsold in the previous season to becoming the highest paid Indian player at INR 15 lakhs. The 31 year old midfielder from Haryana, who works as Chief Ticket Inspector with Indian Railways, brings extensive international experience with 226 senior appearances since her 2012 debut. Monika was part of India's historic fourth place finish at Tokyo 2020 Olympics and played crucial roles in the 2018 Asian Games silver medal and 2022 Asian Games bronze medal campaigns. Her experience spans two Olympics, multiple World Cups, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Championships, making her a valuable addition to Bengal Tigers' squad. The women's auction featured only four franchises, JSW Soorma Hockey Club, Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, and Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, compared to eight in the men's category. This concentration allowed for more focused bidding battles and higher individual player valuations within the INR 2 crore salary cap structure. However, the successful completion of both men's and women's auctions demonstrates the league's growing maturity and financial stability. The emphasis on Argentine talent, particularly players fresh from Paris 2024 Olympic success, elevates the competition's international profile while strategic investments in experienced Indian players like Monika ensure strong domestic representation.