For Kalinga Lancers, the drag-flicker specialist Gurjinder
proved to be the key asset as he has a successful record in converting penalty
corners in HIL. In the 2015 HIL, he was the fourth highest goal-scorer in the
league and top scorer for his team with five goals, all through penalty corner
conversions. His teammate Lalit, who scored two spectacular goals in last
season, played a key role in mobilising the forward line and helped his team to
create attacks.
In the last two seasons, Kalinga Lancers played with young
players and they have showed commendable passion to fight against experienced
teams and high-class players. In their first season in 2014, the young team
finished last with two wins against the defending champions Ranchi Rhinos and
Mumbai Magicians. In 2015 HIL, Kalinga Lancers started their campaign with a
spectacular 6-3 win over Ranchi Rays and defeated Delhi Waveriders to finish
fifth in the points-table.
Speaking on their retained players, Kalinga Lancers
spokesperson Ms. Rina Mohapatra stated, “Being a young team and joining
the League in the 2014 Season, we didnt have an opportunity to take part in the
first auction. However, the young Kalinga Lancers players showed high-class
talent and stunned everyone in the hockey fraternity with their passion. They
played extremely well and we managed to beat top teams in League. This is the
reason we have retained the core group of players, such as Lalit Upadhyay,
Devindar Sunil Walimiki and Gurjinder Singh, who are now the poster boys of the
team and hockey fans in Odisha love their game. The Australian duo of
Aran Zalewski and Andrew Charter are also great assets for the team and their
experience will help us in the upcoming season. We are expecting to get some
good players in the HIL 2015 Auction that will strength out team and take us to
the finals in the 2016 HIL.”
Speaking on Kalinga Lancers’ retaining decision, Lalit
Upadhyay said,“It’s a great feeling that the Team Management has trust in my
abilities and retained me for the upcoming seasons. Their decision has boosted
my morale and given me confidence to play better for my team in the HIL. Having
Devindar, Gurjinder, Zalewski and Charter in the team is also a good feeling as
I enjoy playing with them. They are great team-players and their experience
will surely help the team to achieve more. We are also thankful to the Odisha
crowd who always stood by our side and supported us whole-heartedly. We look
forward to showcasing better hockey performance and giving the fans plenty of
winning moments in the 2016 HIL.”
HIL Press release
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