New Delhi, Nov 22

Indian hockey's rising star Ramandeep Singh was the pick of the day and was sold to Uttar Pradesh Wizards for a whopping $81,000 in the players auction for the second edition of Hockey India League (HIL) here Friday.

Ramandeep scored his maiden goal in his debut match at the Asia Cup and has also scored six goals in the Sultan of Johor Cup.

In all, 49 players including 28 from India and 21 overseas players were bought at the closed bid. Out of 49, the sixth franchise and the latest entrant Kalinga Lancers bought 24 players. 

The Kalinga Lancers is jointly owned by two government organisations -- Industrial Development Corporation of Orissa (IDCO) and Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL). 

Amongst the overseas players, New Zealand's Ryan Archibald went for $71,000 to Kalinga Lancers.

Indian forward Nikin Thimmaiah got the second highest bid amongst the domestic players for $59,000 and was also bought by Uttar Pradesh Wizards.

Dabur Mumbai Magicians bought 11 players, Jaypee Punjab Warriors five, Uttar Pradesh Wizards and Delhi Waveriders got four each and Ranchi Rhinos one.

The six franchises spent $1.37 million to buy 49 players from Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Argentina, Ireland, England, South Africa and India.

Amongst the other Indian junior players defender Gurjinder Singh was picked by Dabur Mumbai Magicians for $56,000 and forward Affan Yousuf was picked by Jaypee Punjab Warriors for $35,000.

Hockey India Secretary General and league's chairman Narinder Batra welcomed on board Kalinga Lancers, the new franchisee. 

"It is great to see that promising junior players have been bought by franchises at higher than the expected amounts which is a good sign for the future of Indian hockey" he said.

In the trading window, Aug 19 to Sep 30, Dabur Mumbai Magicians traded two players -- Sandeep Singh and Satbir Singh -- with Jaypee Punjab Warriors.

By:IANS