Sardar Singh bags top price in HIL auction

New Delhi: The Hockey India League (HIL) players' auction began on a money-spinning note for India captain Sardar Singh who took home the most dollars among the five marquee players, for whom the franchises made silent bidding to kick off the auction.

Australia captain Jamie Dwyer, FIH Player of the Year, Germany's Moritz Fuerste, retired Dutch legend Teun de Nooijer, India skipper Sardar and star drag-flicker Sandeep Singh were the marquee players - after the list was pruned from six to five following Hockey India's failure to find a sixth franchise. SV Sunil was supposed to be the sixth marquee player but instead was pushed into the auction pool of 246 players.

Delhi WaveRiders, Jaypee Punjab Warriors, UP Wizards, Ranchi Rhinos and Mumbai Magicians made silent bidding for the five marquee players - after which Hockey India General Secretary, Narinder Batra, unveiled who got whom based on the highest bids.

Delhi WaveRiders, owned by the Wave group, bidded $78000, the most for India captain among the five marquee players.

Sardar and Sandeep had the highest base price of $27,800 and were expected to make big bucks. While Sardar remained the top grosser among marquee players, Sandeep surprisingly went at his base price only.

Sardar, Fuerste and Dwyer were among the five players nominated by FIH for 2012 Player of the Year.

Here's the complete list of marquee players:

Sardar Singh: Sold to Delhi WaveRiders for $78000 (base price $27800) Moritz Fuerste: Sold to Ranchi Rhinos for $75500 (base price $25000) Teun de Nooijer: Sold to UP Wizards for $66000 (base price $25000) Jamie Dwyer: Sold to Punjab Warriors for $60000 (base price $25000) Sandeep Singh: Sold to Mumbai Magicians at his base price of $27800

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