HIL 2024-25: All about Team Gonasika squad

The Indian hockey landscape is set to change forever with the revival of the Hockey India League (HIL). The mega auction took place in October 2024 for the upcoming edition of the tournament with eight sides competing for the glory. Making a return after a long gap of seven years, the Hockey India League will be played from December 28 to February 2.

Among all the teams, many eyes will be on team Gonasika. Like every other team, Gonasika also secured as many as 24 players in their squad including eight overseas players. Indian midfielder Manpreet Singh was their most expensive player having bagged him at the auction for Rs 42 lakh. They also secured the national team player Araijeet Singh Hundal for the same amount and secured the services of Mandeep Singh for just Rs 25 lakh.

Despite the presence of players like Manpreet and Mandeep with international experience, Team Gonasika have appointed 20-year-old Amir Ali as their skipper for the upcoming edition. He was acquired for INR 34 lakh and is touted as the next big thing in Indian hockey.

Who is the top overseas player picked by Team Gonasika?

Among overseas players, Team Gonasika got hold of Tom Boon from the Netherlands for Rs 26 lakh, while they also managed to secure Timothy Howard of Australia for Rs 20 lakh. Great Britain’s goalkeeper Oliver Payne and the Dutch forward Jeroen Hertzberger are other top foreign players who will turn up for the Gonasika franchise in the HIL 2024-25.

As far as the schedule is concerned, Team Gonasika will start their campaign on the opening day of the tournament against Delhi SG Pipers in Rourkela. They will play a total of 10 matches and will be hopeful of making it to the top four. They have a brilliant mix of youth and experience in their line-up as the franchise will be keen on lifting the trophy this season.

Here’s the full squad of Team Gonasika:

Defenders: Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Amir Ali, Birendra Lakra, Yogember Rawat, Timothy Howard, Dipsan Tirkey, Anmol Ekka

Midfielders: Manpreet Singh, Vishnukant Singh, Lee Moton, Jack Waller, Jacob Draper, Mustapha Cassiem, Yashdeep Siwach, SK Uthappa

Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Jeroen Hertzberger, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Tom Boon, SV Sunil, Nikkin Thimmaiah

Goalkeepers: Oliver Payne, Suraj Karkera, Kamalbir Singh