Hero HIL 2026 Women’s Mini Auction Wraps Up with Exciting Signings

 Monika becomes costliest Indian player at the auction, while Argentina’s Agustina Gorzelany emerged as most expensive player overall

Khel Today Bureau

New Delhi: The afternoon session of the Hero Hockey India League (HIL) 2026 Women’s Mini Auction saw four franchises battle it out for top names and emerging stars. With over 100 players in the pool, the auction witnessed tactical spending and smart squad-building.

With a salary cap of INR 2 Crores, the participating franchises — JSW Soorma Hockey Club, Ranchi Royals, SG Pipers, and Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers — built well-rounded squads featuring international stars alongside India’s brightest young talent.

Top Buys of the Women’s Auction

– Agustina Gorzelany – signed by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for INR 42 Lakhs

– Granatto Maria Jose – signed by JSW Soorma Hockey Club for INR 34 Lakhs

– Valentina Raposo Ruiz de los Llanos – signed by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for INR 30 Lakhs

Highlights from the Women’s Auction:

– ‎Monika (India midfielder): Unsold in last season’s auction, Monika produced a remarkable turnaround as she became the costliest Indian player of the auction, bought by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for INR 15 Lakhs after an intense bidding battle with Delhi SG Pipers.

– ‎Agustina Gorzelany (Argentina defender): The standout signing of the day, Gorzelany commanded a staggering INR 42 Lakhs from Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, following a fierce contest involving multiple franchises.

– María José Granatto (Argentina forward): Another marquee Argentine star, Granatto was picked up by Delhi SG Pipers for INR 34 Lakhs, after overcoming competition from JSW Soorma Hockey Club and Ranchi Royals.

– Udita (India defender): Last season’s costliest player in the women’s auction, Udita returned to Delhi SG Pipers, bought at her base price of INR 10 Lakhs.

– Valentina Raposo Ruiz de los Llanos (Argentina defender): Emerged as one of the hottest properties in the pool, eventually signed by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for INR 30 Lakhs after a multi-franchise bidding war.

– Mahima Tete (India midfielder): The young midfielder will now team up with her sister Salima Tete at JSW Soorma Hockey Club, after being secured for her base price of INR 2 Lakhs.

Final squads of all women’s franchises:

JSW Soorma Hockey Club: Retained – Ajmina Kujur, Jyoti Chhatri (Jr Player – Traded from Ranchi Royals), Mumtaz Khan (Traded from SG Pipers), Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke (Jr Player), Hina Bano (Jr Player), Sonam (Jr Player), Penny Squibb (Overseas), Jimena Maria Cedres (Overseas), Olivia Shannon (Overseas), Savita, Nidhi, Baljeet Kaur, Jyoti, Nisha, Salima Tete.

New buys – Mahima Tete (INR 2 Lakh), Granatto Maria Jose (INR 34 Lakhs), Vilar Del Dupuy (INR 2 Lakh), Shihori Oikawa (INR 5 Lakh), Sarah Robertson (INR 10 Lakh).

Ranchi Royals: Retained – Nandni, Sakshi Rana (Jr Player), Kanika Siwach (Jr Player), Nikki Pradhan (Traded from JSW Soorma Hockey Club), Deepika Soreng (Jr Player – Traded from JSW Soorma Hockey Club), Ishika Chaudhary, Neha Goyal, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, Beauty DungDung (Traded from Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers), Sangita Kumari (Traded from SG Pipers), Jocelyn Bartram (Overseas), Claire Colwil (Overseas).

New buys – Lucina Von Der Heyde (INR 14 Lakhs), Agustina Albertarrio (INR 15 Lakhs), Agostina Alonso (INR 15 Lakhs), Lalthantluangi (INR 3.10 Lakh), Maria Paula Ortiz (INR 10 Lakhs), Annu (INR 2 Lakh), Valerie Magis (INR 5 Lakh), Bichu Devi (INR 9.8 Lakh)

SG Pipers: Retained – Shilpi Dabas (Traded from Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers), Sharmila Devi (Traded from JSW Soorma Hockey Club), Jyoti Singh (Jr Player), Manisha (Jr Player), Sunelita Toppo (Jr Player), Deepika (Jr Player), Bansari Solanki, Khaidem Shileima Chanu, Navneet Kaur, Ishika, Kaitlin Jaye Nobbs (Overseas – Traded from Ranchi Royals), Victoria Sauze (Overseas – Traded from Ranchi Royals).

New buys – Udita (INR 10 Lakhs), Thoudam Suman Devi (INR 5 Lakh), Cristina Cosentino (INR 5 Lakh), Costa Biondi Valentina Isabel (INR 10 Lakhs), Lola Riera Zuzuarregui (INR 21 Lakhs), Teresa Viana Ache (INR 11 Lakhs), Preeti Dubey (INR 2 Lakh), Juana Castellaro Morello (INR 12.50 Lakhs).

Shrachi Bengal Tigers: Retained – Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Lalrinpuii Pachuav (Jr Player), Manisha Chauhan (Traded from SG Pipers), Jennifer Rizzo (Overseas), Mahima Choudhary, Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, Sonika (Traded from Ranchi Royals).

New buys – Monika (INR 15 Lakhs), Gurjit Kaur (INR 2 Lakh), Puja Sahoo (INR 2 Lakh), Agustina Gorzelany (INR 42 Lakhs), Valentina Raposo Ruiz de los Llanos (INR 30 Lakhs), Victoria Manuele (INR 2 Lakh), Emma Findlay (INR 5 Lakh), Puja Sahoo (INR 2 Lakh), Noor Orpa de Baat (INR 14 Lakhs), Sukhveer Kaur (INR 2 Lakh), Anjali Gautam (INR 2 Lakh), Sosha Carina Benninga (INR 5 Lakh).