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The 2015 Hero Hockey India League Players’ Auctions were expected to throw up a few surprises, but it was much more than a ‘surprise’ to see Indian senior men’s hockey team captain Sardar Singh being bought by Jaypee Punjab Warriors for a modest price of $58,000. It won’t be a far-fetched exaggeration to say that the ace midfielder would be himself ‘more than surprised’ at the price at which he was bought by the Punjab franchise for the 2016 edition.
The 29-year-old national captain was widely expected to be lapped up for an attractive price – what surprised many is the fact that as many as ten Indians - all junior to him have been bought for a much higher price than him. Akashdeep Singh – perhaps the talented young forward around – was bought by UP Wizards for $85,000 making the most expensive Indian player. Besides Akashdeep, Sandeep Singh ($81,000), Gurmail Singh (81,000), Gurwinder Singh Chandi ($75,000), Mandeep Singh ($70,000), Rupinder Pal Singh ($68,000), Nikkin Thimmaiah ($67,000), Jasjit Singh Kullar ($65,000), Chinglensana Singh ($62,000) and Dharamvir Singh ($60,000).
Sardar’s modest signing amount smacks off a feeling that franchises have learnt a lot during the first three editions to believe just ‘spending big’ on star individuals may not be enough to win the HIL.
One also has to understand that Jaypee Punjab Warriors have already retained three solid Aussies – fullback Chris Ciriello, midfielder Mark Knowles and forward Jake Whetton besides the Indian trio of SV Sunil, Satbir Singh and Varun Kumar. The decision-makers of the Punjab franchise may have thought it out of not spending ‘big’ on star individuals and focus more on having a nice balance in the team. They have roped in two more Aussies – Matt Ghodes and Simon Orchard and that probably explains their desire to get a proper balance in their side.
Irrespective of the strategy of the Warriors, Sardar’s $58,000 signing will not stop tongues wagging in the coming weeks. Or does the low price point to the dwindling stock of Sardar – remember he was bought by Delhi Waveriders for $78,000 in the inaugural 2013 edition and questions will be asked whether the value of the Indian captain has dipped in last three years or how does one can explain the $58,000 signing.
“Every franchise works around their budget. The Punjab franchise probably wanted him for the price he was bought as they have retained three Aussies in their side. Teams now don’t want to bank too much on star individuals by shelling out more on these celebrated players,” a HIL official observed.
From being the captain of Delhi Waveriders to being their marquee player and their most expensive player, Sardar’s modest buying price can been a low for one of the world’s best centre-halfs. One hopes Sardar makes a telling statement on the pitch with a power-packed performance in the 2016 HIL and convinces people that he deserved much more than $58,000 he was bought for by the Punjab franchise.
