New Delhi: Coal India Hockey India League will be highlighted by the presence of some of the biggest overseas and Indian hockey stars.
The six franchises battling for supremacy in the richest field hockey league in the world are Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Delhi Waveriders, Kalinga Lancers, Uttar Pradesh Wizards, Dabang Mumbai and defending champions Ranchi Rays. The star-studded tournament that will be played from January 18 to February 21 will have some of the best players from the Indian team.
The two-time finalists Jaypee Punjab Warriors have been able to retain some of their key players in the auctions in the month of August. One of them is SV Sunil. Sunil was a part of the Hockey World League bronze medal winning Indian team. Sunil has 174 international caps and 56 international goals. Sunil aged 26 years was retained for a sum of $50,000. Sunil will bring stability to the Punjab Warrior’s front line and will be a key player if Punjab is to again put up a good show at the league.
Indian captain Sardar Singh, who moved from the Delhi Waveriders to Jaypee Punjab Warriors from Season 2016, will be one of the key Indians to watch out for. The Indian captain and midfielder, who has lead the national team to many famous victories, has an experience of 236 international caps and has scored 14 international goals. Sardar was crucial for the great Indian victory at the recent Hockey World League Finals as he lead from the front. Sardar, who bagged a price of $58,000 in the auction in September 2015, will provide his franchise the necessary experience and depth in the midfield.
V.R Raghunath will be point of notice in the backline of the Uttar Pradesh Wizards. The 27-year-old Indian defender and drag flicker who hails from Karnataka and has an impressive record of 203 international caps and 127 international goals will not only be the key man protecting the goal but also will be the dangerman for the opponents while taking the penalty corners. He had a good run of form in the test series against Australia and Hero Hockey World League finals scoring crucial goals for the team.
Meanwhile, 25-year-old defender from Jharkhand Birendra Lakra will be the key player for the defending champions Ranchi Rays. Ranchi Rays, who had been miser in conceding goals in last year’s edition of the Hockey India League, will be looking to do the same. Birendra Lakra with 123 international caps and 09 international goals is arguably one of the best players in the ranks of Ranchi Rays. Birendra Lakra, who was retained by the franchise for a sum of $55,000 alongside Fergus Kavanagh from Ireland, will be looking to put of the similar robust show at the 4th edition of the league.
The vice – captain of the Indian team who was recently awarded the Lt. Col. G V Raja Award in 2015 by the Kerala Sports Council will be guarding the goal of the Uttar Pradesh Wizards and will be a force to reckon with in this year’s edition of the Hockey India League. Sreejesh, who is amongst the top goal keepers in the world, is in the prime of his form with an excellent display at the Hockey World League Finals in December. The combination of VR Raghunath and Sreejesh can be lethal in the defence and will be one of the biggest assets for the Uttar Pradesh Wizards franchise.
