Experience Meets Youth as SG Pipers Sign Rupider Pal Singh, Roman Duvekot, and Bram Van Battum at Hockey India League Season 2 Auction

The SG Pipers have finalized their squad for the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL) Season 2 following a high-stakes player auction that saw intense bidding wars and bold moves. The franchise strengthened its ranks with the additions of the Belgian Roman Duvekot, Dutchman Bram Van Battum and experienced Olympic Bronze medalist Rupinder Pal Singh. The SG Pipers exhibited their carefully designed auction strategy with the squad now reflecting a blend of experience, youth, and flair.

Players bought:

• Rupinder Pal Singh:  A cornerstone of Indian hockey over the last decade, Rupinder brings exceptional drag-flicking ability and calmness under pressure. Having scored over 120 international goals in 223 appearances, he was part of the Indian team that clinched Bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. A proven match-winner, Rupinder’s presence adds immense strength to SG Pipers’ defensive and penalty corner setup. Rupinder is a HIL Winning Captain last season which strengthens the leadership group of SG Pipers.
• Roman Duvekot: Roman, renowned for his goalscoring pedigree, has shown his ability to deliver in high-stakes competitions such as the Euro Hockey League and the FIH Pro League Already a regular in the Belgian setup at the age of 25, his pace and sharp finishing bring freshness and attacking intent to the Pipers’ frontline.
• Bram Van Battum: Known for his defensive assurance and growing attacking contributions, Van Battum comes from Dutch powerhouse Kampong, where he played a key role in their recent Hoofdklasse triumph. Focused on speed and decision-making, he adds depth to the Pipers’ backline with adaptability and skill.

“We walked into the auction with a clear blueprint. With just 3 slots to fill in, we planned to get such players who plays modern, attacking hockey, gives us depth in the squad and has the hunger to win. We’re confident this team has what it takes to go all the way,” said Tim Oudenaller, Head Coach of the SG Pipers after the completion of the Hockey India League Season 2 Auctions.

Speaking on the new additions, Sreejesh PR, Director of Hockey at SG Pipers, said, “The addition of Rupinder, Roman, and Bram addresses key areas we wanted to reinforce for the upcoming season. This group is not just about the present competition, but also about building a strong foundation for the future. The energy in the camp is already high and we are excited to see how this unit grows together.”

SG Pipers Men’s Squad for Hockey India League Season 2:

Forwards: Tomas Domene, Aditya Lalage, Sourabh Anand, Dilraj Singh, Roman Duvekot.
Midfielders: Shamsher Singh, Rajkumar Pal, Ankit Pal, Kingson Singh, Ky Willott, Jacob Draper
Defenders: Jarmanpreet Singh (Captain), Varun Kumar, Rohit, Manjeet, Gareth Furlong, Rupinder Pal Singh, Bram Van Battum.
Goalkeepers: Tomas Santiago, Pawan.