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Considered as ‘the world’s best hockey league’ by many experts and players, the 2015 Hockey India League (HIL) season is all set for an enthralling finish. The HIL has helped improve the Indian team’s performance, according to the drag flicker Sandeep Singh and many others. With both the semi finals being scheduled for the Saturday night, the top four teams will be fighting it out to win the third edition of the HIL. It would be interesting to see if the defending champions Delhi Waveriders (DWR) will be able to retain the trophy else HIL will see a new champion this time.Ashley Jackson has so far been the stand out performer this season and it is a heartening fact that many Indian stars have had a very good tournament so far.With what promises to be two final grueling days of play, let us look at the top Indian performers in HIL this season.
#5 Birendra Lakra (Ranchi Rays)
The Asian games gold medalist has been one of the most influential performers for Ranchi Rays this season.
Playing for the new franchise - owned by Sahara India Pariwar and Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni- Lakra was adjudged the man of the match in the match against the team from Delhi.
Except for conceding six goals against the Kalinga Lancers in the away fixture, the Rays defense led by Lakra, has given a reasonably solid performance by managing to keep two clean sheets.
Hailing from a family of hockey players, the 25-year old, made a name for himself earlier by scoring a superb goal in India's victory in the final game of the Olympic Hockey qualifying tournament.
#4 Akashdeep Singh (Delhi Waveriders)
The 19-year old forward from Punjab is continuing the good form, which he exhibited last season, scoring three goals.
Singh, who considers Sardar Singh as his inspiration, has already bettered last year’s performance by scoring four goals for the Delhi Waveriders so far.
He was chosen as the 'Best Junior Player of the Tournament' award in Men's Champions Trophy 2014. Apart from that, the forward, was instrumental in the 17th Asian Games in which he scored a brilliant field goal to put the team in the finals.
#3 Sandeep Singh (Jaypee Punjab Warriors)
Sandeep Singh has scored 11 goals so far this season for his third different franchise in three years.
Though he has been constantly scrutinized for his defensive short comings, the Haryana Police DSP proved himself by becoming second highest goal scorer in this season.
The league leaders, will be facing Delhi Waveriders and if the 28-year old full back keeps scoring at this rate, he could overtake Ashley Jackson and became the highest goal scorer for the third consecutive time.
With lots of competition for a place in the Indian team, which has many drag flickers, the penalty corner specialist would make serious claims for his spot at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
#2 Ramandeep Singh (Uttar Pradesh Wizards)
He became the costliest player in 2014 after Uttar Pradesh Wizards got him for US $81,000. Unable to live up to the expectations, thedrag flicker was a major disappointment in the 2014 season.
But this year, the Indian team forward, has come back in style and has scored fourgoals in the leagueso far.
Singh scored a brilliant goal in the 2-1 win,over Jaypee Punjab Warriors. The 22-year oldalso won two Man of the Match awards against Delhi Waveridersand Jaypee Punjab Warriors
#1 Sreejesh P R (Uttar Pradesh Wizards)
Sreejesh was bought by Uttar Pradesh Wizards for US$ 69,000, after being named the goal keeper of the tournament in ‘The Champions Trophy 2014’. The 28-year old has so far been the wall for the Wizards this season.
Having moved from Mumbai Magicians, the man from Kerala made stellar saves this season and he is now regarded as one of the best goal keepers in the world. .
Apart from that, the Indian Overseas Bank employee also won the ‘Man of the Match award’ for his performance against Ranchi Rays (RR) and Kerala Lancers (KL).
