Rourkela: The upcoming edition of the Hockey India League (HIL) will feature lesser number of players from Odisha.
In the mini player auction conducted in New Delhi on Wednesday, a total of 100 men and 100 women players were up for grabs. From them, 16 male and 4 female players from Odisha were roped in by different teams.
Last season, 20 male and 6 female Odia players took part in HIL.
The next edition of HIL, which was revived in 2024-25 after a seven-year gap, will begin on January 5, 2026.
In another significant development, defending women’s champions Odisha Warriors have opted out.
In the men’s event, Team Gonasika and UP Rudras also withdrew from the league, Their places were filled by newly-introduced teams Ranchi Royals (both men’s and women’s sections), and Hockey Governing Council.
Among the Odisha players to have made the cut in HIL for the first time is 18-year-old goalkeeper Vivek Lakra, who was acquired by Bengal Tigers for Rs 23 lakh. The other debutants are midfielder Edrohit Ekka, who was picked up by Tamil Nadu Dragons for Rs 11 lakh, and Pooja Sahu, who joined the Bengal Tigers women’s team.
Odisha players who dropped out this year include Birendra Lakra, Dipsan Tirkey, Roshan Minz, Sunil Jojo, Sunit Lakra, Mukesh Toppo and Sahil Nayak, and female players Deep Grace Ekka, Madhuri Kindo and Anjali Barua.
Eight men’s teams and four women’s teams will be in the fray for HIL 2026.
ODISHA PLAYERS IN HIL 2026
Men — Amit Rohidas, Anand Lakra, Sushil Dhanwar, Edrohit Ekka (Tamil Nadu Dragons), Pratap Lakra, Rohit Kullu, Roshan Kujur, Deepak Pradhan, Amit Toppo (Vedanta Kalinga Lancers), Shilanand Lakra, Amandeep Lakra (Hyderabad Toofans), Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Anmol Ekka (Ranchi Royals), Prashant Barla, Sudeep Chirmako (Hockey Governing Council), Vivek Lakra (Bengal Tigers).
Women — Ajmina Kujur, Jyoti Chhatri (JSW Surma Hockey Club), Sunelita Toppo (Delhi SG Pipers), Pooja Sahu (Bengal Tigers).