HIL 2024-25: All about the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers star player

With India winning medals in consecutive Olympic editions, the nation has returned to give the sport the fanfare it once promised. This renewed enthusiasm has paved the way for the revival of the Hockey India League (HIL) after seven long years. With excitement running high, the HIL 2024-25 season, marking the sixth edition of the tournament, is set to kick off on December 28. The league will feature eight teams that participated in a bidding war earlier this year during the HIL 2024-25 auction. Among them, the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, one of three hockey franchises from the eastern region, competed earnestly to assemble a formidable side. Their auction campaign saw the franchise splurge as much as ₹72 lakhs on the rising star of Indian hockey, Abhishek Nain.

Abhishek Nain and Rupinder Pal Singh: The stars of Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers in HIL 2024-25

A key player in India's campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the team secured its second consecutive bronze medal, Abhishek was in contention to become the highest-paid player of the HIL 2024-25 season. Although Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh surpassed him when Soorma Hockey Club acquired him for ₹78 lakhs, the ₹72 lakh bid on Abhishek reflects the stakeholders' immense confidence in the youngster's potential.

On the field, Nain is celebrated for his sharp instincts inside the opponent’s ‘D’ and his ability to pierce through even the most crowded defenses when in form. His off-the-ball movement is exceptional, and he excels in tracking back to support the deep defense while also being a dependable penalty corner injector.

Though the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers have handed a substantial contract to Abhishek, the franchise is yet to announce the leading face of their team. Apart from Nain, the Bengal Tigers also secured seasoned player Rupinder Pal Singh, who brings extensive experience from his previous stints in the league. The franchise acquired the veteran drag flicker for ₹12.5 lakhs. Known for his outstanding goal-scoring ability, the 34-year-old defender has an impressive career tally of 234 goals in 223 matches.

Rupinder, who last featured in India’s historic bronze medal victory over Germany at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, ending a 42-year Olympic medal drought, brings invaluable expertise to the Tigers. Beyond his price tag, Rupinder Pal Singh stands out as an obvious choice for the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers to entrust with the captaincy. In his earlier stint in the HIL, Rupinder represented the Delhi Waveriders with distinction.