Hockey India League Players Auction 2015: all you want to know

(Detailed tables for players in the auction, players retained and the salary cap on franchises can be found at the bottom of this story)

New Delhi: An innovative rule, Sardar Singh up for grabs and a slight tweak here and there in playing regulations is sure to spice up the 2016 players' auction for the Hockey India League (HIL) as the think-tanks of the six franchises put their bidding strategies in use before auctioneer Bob Hayton's hammer comes down.

Delhi Waveriders chose not to retain India captain Sardar, and floating in the pool of 272 players from 20 countries (135 Indians and 137 foreigners), he will be one of biggest fish.

The same goes for Germany's veteran midfielder Moritz Fuerste and Aussie legend Jamie Dwyer, both of who have a base price of $30,000 compared to $20,000 for Sardar. Argentina's Lucas Rey, India's Rupinderpal Singh and Australia's Simon Orchard could also see a fierce bidding war.

But considering a field goal is worth its weight in gold, playmakers will top the priority list of most bidders.

Every field goal in the coming season will count for two according to the new scoring system introduced by Hockey India. And if it's a penalty stroke resulting from a deliberate foul by the defence during a penalty corner, scoring off that will also earn the team two goals instead of one.

That FIH has given its backing to this out-of-the-box rule, one can't rule out it being tried on an international pitch very soon - with FIH CEO, Kelly Fairweather, present at the auction on Thursday.

Hockey India is already thinking of expanding the league in the coming seasons, which is why the squad strength has also been reduced from 24 in the first three seasons to 20 now onwards and contract shrunk from three years to two.

According to the new regulations, instead of 14 Indian players, each franchise now needs only 12 and instead of 10 foreign players, the maximum a team can now have is 8. Also all 20 players will be on the match sheet with a minimum of two goalkeepers on the bench.

The new field-goal scoring system is sure to force all the six teams back to the drawing table and poach for playmakers and attackers instead of drag-flickers as rather than finding the foot of the defence, the intention will be to sound the board through field play.

"This has been done to improve the field play since scoring field goals requires the most skill and is also exciting for spectators to watch," Hockey India president Narinder Batra told reporters at the launch event of the 2016 season.

India have over the years strived to improve their success rate on penalty corners and worked hard to develop the likes of VR Raghunath, Rupinderpal Singh and Gurjinder Singh. So it remains to be seen if a shift in focus to field goals will end up being a bit of a risk close to the Olympics.

Among the franchises, Dabang Mumbai have the maximum purse available as they have retained just three players compared to six each by Delhi, Punjab Warriors and Ranchi Rays and five apiece by Kalinga Lancers and Uttar Pradesh Wizards.

Mumbai have $5,63,000 in hand to buy 17 players while Ranchi have the lightest purse with $3,37,000 to bid for 14 players they need to complete their squad of 20.

Here are the detailed tables about all you need to know: