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The second season of the Hero Hockey India League marks the entry of Kalinga Lancers, the sixth team of the tournament, coached by Indian senior coach Terry Walsh and mentored by former Indian captain Dilip Tirkey. The franchise based in Bhubneshwar is promoted by Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) and Mahanadi Coalfield Limited (MCL).
Led by Indian international (Prabodh Tirkey), Kalinga Lancers will be looking to surprise the other teams in the tournament.
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TEAM COMPOSITION
With all good players taken by other franchisees in the first season of the tournament, Kalinga Lancers started with a disadvantage as they missed out on most of the top players. During the auctions, Kalinga Lancers did their best to get the players available to them. They secured the services of two Australian players – Russell Ford and Glenn Simpson – who have experience of 20 HIL games under their belt. They also bought Indian players like Prabhodh Tirkey and Mandip Antil, who have decent experience under their belt.
KEY PLAYERS
Co-captain of Australian national team, Russell Ford will play a major role in the team’s performance as his play in attack along with Argentina international Lucas Vila will decide how the team fares in the tournament. The pressure in midfield will be taken up by Black Sticks Ryan Archiabald. A veteran of 250 caps, Ryan Archibald will have to lead the midfield and support the strikers. Also, Prabhodh Tirkey’s experience of playing in Indian colours will help Kalinga Lancers.
EXPECTATIONS
Having no experience in the Hockey India League, Kalinga Lancers would hoping to finish at least among the top four in the tournament, but it’s going to be a huge task for the team to do that. The more realistic place they can expect to finish at in the tournament is fifth.
PREDICTION
It’s tough to expect anything from the team in their first Hockey India League season with only a couple of world class players in the team. Minus the experience and the players, the team will likely finish in the last position in the tournament.
OFF FIELD PROMOTION
Off field, Kalinga Lancers and the players are having a complete ball. They have done various promotional activities for the tournament and also introduced their own mascot ‘Bagha’ for moral support of the players.
Following is the Kalinga Lancers team for the Hero Hockey India League 2:
Goalkeepers: Harjot Singh and Tristan Clemons,
Defenders: Aran Zalewski, Dipsan Tirkey, Gonzalo Peillat and Ramon Alegre
Midfielders: David Minz, Devinder Walmiki, Glenn Simpson, Jasbir Singh, Keil Brown, Manjeet Kullu, Prabodh Tirkey, Roc Oliva, Ryan Archibald, Vikas Sharma and Vikram Kanth
Forwards: Gagandeep Singh Banwait, Lalit Upadhyay, Licas Vila, Mandeep Antil, Mohammad Amir Khan, Mohammad Nizamuddin and Russell ford
