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HIL auction: Raghunath says 'unbelievable'; Sandeep is 'disappointed'

Ace drag-flicker VR Raghunath was unable to describe his feelings after fetching a whopping $ 76,000 at the inaugural Hockey India auctions while senior pro Sandeep Singh was a disappointed man as he got one of the lowest bids among current India players.

-Sardar, Raghunath stars of HIL auctions

"It is unbelievable. I never expected that I will end up getting so much but I did expect to the tune of $ 50,000," Raghunath said after his bidding wars.

The big bodied defender admitted that need for quality drag-flickers in the country was one of the primary reasons for him getting such a massive price.

"My performance in the Champions Trophy has been rewarded. Also, since I am a current India player, I have got a good bidding as every team needs a quality drag-flicker," said Raghunath.

'I don't exactly know what were the reasons for this low price'

Sandeep Singh, Indian hockey's poster boy during the pre-Olympic event was a picture of disappointment as he had to depend on Joe Carrol's bidding price in order to end with a decent sum of money.

"Yes, I was disappointed. I didn't expect this and don't exactly know what were the reasons for this low price," said the DSP of Punjab Police, who got only $ 27,800.

"But the positive aspect will be that I will be able to work with the world's best coach Ric Charlesworth."

UP Wizards Technical Advisor Dhanraj Pillay said, "I am happy that for the first time, hockey players are getting money. All credit goes to Hockey India and I am sure it will be one of the best leagues in the world."

Legendary Charlesworth is pretty happy with the composition of Mumbai Magicians stating, "In these kind of auctions, you normally don't get everything that you want but I am happy with the team composition and we will make it a good winning side," he concluded.