Indian captain and specialist drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh was the costliest buy in the auction of the newly-launched Hockey India League (HIL) on Sunday. 

Harmanpreet was bought by Soorma Hockey Club for Rs 78 lakh. Most teams bid for the Paris Olympics top-scorer with 10 goals before he was picked by the JSW Sports-owned outfit.

Indian forward and Paris Olympics hero Abhishek Nain was the second highest buy at Rs 72 lakh, bought by Shrachi Sports-owned Bengal Tigers.

India vice-captain Hardik Singh went to UP Rudras for Rs 70 lakh after an intense bidding.

The first of a three-day auction for the revived HIL ended with 54 of the 72 players going under the hammer.

The scenario in the HIL auction witnessed a significant change as Indian players earned higher bids than the overseas players who were given preferences in the auction. 

The players have been bought for three years, while the bid amount is per year.