Vedanta Kalinga Lancers strengthened their squad ahead of the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL) season by picking three Indian players and four overseas signings in the mini auction on Wednesday.
Henderson becomes top buy
Australian midfielder Liam Henderson turned out to be the costliest purchase of the day, going to the Lancers for ₹42 lakhs. His compatriot Cooper Burns was also picked by the Bhubaneswar-based franchise for ₹34.5 lakhs, making the duo their most expensive overseas recruits.
Overseas strength
The Lancers also roped in Australian goalkeeper Snowden for ₹10 lakhs, bolstering their defensive options. Germany’s Thies Prinz and Dutch defender Sander de Wijn were among the other notable foreign names snapped up in the auction, though by rival franchises.
Spotlight on Indian players
Among the Indian picks, Bengal Tigers secured 18-year-old defender Vivek Lakra for a massive ₹24 lakhs, making him the most expensive Indian player of the auction. Tamil Nadu Dragons bought Adrohit Ekka for ₹11 lakhs after a fierce bidding war. The auction also saw 14-year-old Ketan Kushwaha create history as the youngest signing, with Bengal Tigers acquiring him for ₹2.5 lakhs.
Rising excitement for HIL 2026
The mini auction showcased a balance between experienced internationals and upcoming Indian talents. With the league scheduled to begin in January 2026, teams are already building their rosters for an action-packed season.
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