“Restrained due to budget” - PR Sreejesh opens up on Delhi SG Pipers not going all out for Harmanpreet Singh at Hockey India League Auction
The Director of Hockey for Delhi SG Pipers PR Sreejesh has expressed that if not for budget constraints, they would have gone after India captain Harmanpreet Singh at the Hockey India League 2024 (HIL) men's player auction. Sreejesh was instrumental in his team building a solid squad by the end of the two-day event.
The recently retired goalkeeper came out of the auction feeling proud of the Indian talent the Pipers managed to get in their team. The 36-year-old explained that they had to halt bidding for Hamanpreet once the bid went overboard for them.
During an interaction with Sportskeeda on the sidelines of the auction in Delhi, PR Sreejesh said:
"The feeling was that Indian players should be the superstars of the league. We got some players and a few we couldn't. It’s about money and how it flows. We would have loved to have Harmanpreet in our team. Also, Gonzalo and Hardik. But, you get restrained due to the budgets. The bid goes overboard and you are forced to stop."
Sreejesh further opened up on the player he thought would have fetched a larger paycheck than he eventually did. The veteran shared that it was the 'auction dynamic' that played a big role in deciding which player was sold for how much.
"I feel, Manpreet Singh could have gone for more than what he actually got. For him to go for the amount that he did was a bit surprising. But then, this is how the 'auction dynamic' works. That's why knowing the potential of a player is important but understanding the business aspect of an auction is also critical," he added.
"I am the bridge between the corporates and hockey players" - PR Sreejesh on his role as a Team Director
During his playing days, PR Sreejesh earned himself the reputation of being a world-class goalkeeper. Now, he intends to fit in well to his new role at the HIL 2024. He is the Director of Hockey for Delhi SG Pipers. In the same interview, he said:
"HIL is such a great platform where you can enjoy, compete and have great fun playing hockey. I do miss playing, but it was the right time for me to go. I now feel good taking up a different role. I am the bridge between the corporates and hockey players and would love to carry out my responsibilities as that."
The Delhi SG Pipers are one of the teams that have focused primarily on the Indian talent. PR Sreejesh and the team management would feel optimistic about their chances leading into the tournament later this year.