'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The third edition of Hockey India League is just a fortnight away and all the national and international hockey stars are raring to go against each other. With the introduction of new owners, players and team names, this year’s league carries much more promise in its belly. Cricket stars like M.S. Dhoni and Suresh Raina have also jumped on the hockey bandwagon as co-owners of Ranchi Rays and UP Wizards respectively, which has added an extra glamour quotient to the league. Nevertheless, the true magic will be exhibited by the players on the pitch.We take a look at the 5 most exciting players to watch out for in this year’s tournament:
#1 Sandeep Singh
Once the poster boy of Indian Hockey, Sandeep Singh is a world class drag flicker. Despite being the top scorer of HIL in 2014 and putting up a overall decent show on the pitch, he was still given a cold shoulder from the national selection committee.
Stellar performances from his young replacements Raghunath and Rupinder further deteriorated his case for a comeback in the national team. However, in the HIL, he has fired the scoring charts of both the previous editions and would once again look to showcase his drag flick brilliance.
He definitely is a man on mission and would be itching to prove a point or two to the selectors. A true fighter, Sandeep would like to display his reputed top of the shelf drag flicks again and show what the national team had been missing over the past 12 months.
#2 Tom Boon
Tom Boon's case can be well defined in just one phrase - rise from obscurity to sudden fame. This young Belgian forward set the tongues wagging last year when he was bought in a closed bid auction by the newly rechristened Dabang Mumbai for a whopping USD 103000, highest amount ever paid to any other player in the league’s history. The previous record amount of USD 87,400 was paid for the legendary Teun de Nooijer.
However, this price would not be a surprise for the ardent followers of hockey who know Tom Boon’s lethality in front of goal.Belonging to a family of hockey heritage, Tom Boon is a delight to watch when his on the ball. For instance, in last year’s World Cup he single handedly demolished Malaysia with four goals and the last one came by beating four defenders on the trot. Every fan would like to have a piece of such action and for that Tom Boon is the man to look out for.
#3 Chris Ciriello
Nicknamed as the “Big Dog” and sometimes “Italian Stallion” by his teammates, this burly defender from Australia is the man which every goalkeeper would be happy not to face. With his imposing muscular frame, the power he generates in his shot while taking the penalty corners is fatal even for the bar and net behind the goalkeeper.
Despite making an early debut for Australia in 2008, it was last year where he showed his true class. His hattrick of goals in the finals of world-cup and commonwealth games helped Australia to bag the gold medals. He was the highest scorer in both the tournaments.
For all the sentimental Indian fans there is one more interesting fact about Ciriello. Chris’ grandfather Rudolph Pacheco played for India once before moving to Australia and his mother was born in Kolkata.
He will ply his trade for Jaypee Punjab Warriors this year and when the yellow brigade take the centre stage, do look out for this “Big Dog”.
#4 Gurjinder Singh
Gurjinder Singh has improved his game to a level from where he firmly stands to become one of the best defenders of recent times. Although sparingly used in the Champions Trophy, he proved his worth whenever he was called to action. His pinpoint passes, inviting cross field balls and sturdy defending is unsettling for the opposing teams.
For instance, in the match against Argentina in the Champions Trophy he released a 60-yard long ball pass to Akashdeep which led to a goal. Such is the vision and execution of this talented lad.
A pakka Punjabi from heart because of his penchant for lassi and parantha, he was often criticised for being over-weight. However, he has shed those extra kilos and now looks fit as a fiddle.
#5 S.V. Sunil
Adjudged as “the most energetic player” in the recently concluded Champions Trophy because of his sheer raw pace, S.V. Sunil’s field play performances in the tourney has gone under the radar. He had almost near to perfect game in every match. If you replay the Champions Trophy matches and closely scrutinise his game, you would get to know the true measure of this player.
He hardly miscued any forward ball passed to him and his dribbling was immaculate. His swift twists and turns was a constant menace for the opponent defenders. In almost every game India’s attack was precipitated from his flank which created umpteenth chances for the team.
However his field play brilliance hasn’t materialized into frequent goals which is a frustrating factor for this player. Nevertheless, with time he would get plenty of chances to get his name on the scoresheet.
