Hockey India League: Team Gonasika vs Delhi SG Pipers, preview, prediction, team news, and streaming details

The sixth edition of the revamped and much-awaited Hockey India League will get underway at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Saturday (December 28).

A total of eight teams will play each other in a round-robin format before the top four sides advance to the knockout stage in a competition that brings together some of the best Indian and international hockey talents.

Vizag-based Team Gonasika will take on the Delhi SG Pipers even as the Hockey India League resumes after seven years.

Team Gonasika, owned by Tarini Prasad Mohanty, is packed with some big names from Great Britain while former India striker SV Sunil will be hoping to enthrall the galleries with his speed and guile.

Oliver Payne of Great Britain will be a tough nut to crack in the Gonasika goal while Suraj Karkera, who is on the path to cementing his place in the Indian national side, will also display his goalkeeping skills.

Jacob Draper, Jack Waller, and Lee Morton make up a formidable midfield for the Visakhapatnam side, who will also benefit from the presence of four-time Olympian Manpreet Singh.

The young and incredible Araijeet Singh Hundal will team up with Nikkin Thimmaiah, SV Sunil, and "poacher" Mandeep Singh up front to keep the opposition defenders busy.

Victor Charlet's drag-flicking skills will also be on display for Team Gonasika.

Meanwhile, the Delhi SG Pipers have Pawan in front of goal with a back-line that boasts of Aussie Corey Weyer and Welshman Gareth Furlong alongside the ever-dependable Varun Kumar and Jarmanpreet Singh. Furlong will also be called upon to attempt to score from penalty corners as will Varun Kumar.

Argentina's Lucas Toscani, Kokaburras' Jake Whetton, and Raj Kumar Pal will aid in directing midfield traffic for the Pipers who have Japan's Koji Yamasaki, the Los Leones' Tomas Domene and Sumit Kumar launching the forays.

Team Gonasika vs Delhi SG Pipers Hockey India League match details

Match Details: Team Gonasika vs Delhi SG Pipers, League Match, Hockey India League 2024

Date & Time: Saturday, December 28, 2024, 8:15 PM IST

Venue: Rourkela, India

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Delhi SG Pipers vs Team Gonasika: Full Squads

Delhi SG Pipers

Goalkeepers: Pawan, Adarsh, Rennie Benjamin

Defenders: Joginder Singh, Corey Weyer, Varun Kumar, Gareth Furlong, Rohit, Jarmanpreet Singh

Midfielders: Rajkumar Pal, Shamsher Singh, Kingson Thokchom, Ankit Pal, Manjeet, Ky Willott, Lucas Toscani, Jake Whetton

Forwards: Tomas Domene, Ishrat Iktidar, Koji Yamasaki, Aditya Lalage, Sumit Kumar, Dilraj Singh, Saurabh Anand Khushwaha

Team Gonasika

Goalkeepers: Oliver Payne, Kamalbir Singh, Suraj Karkera

Defenders: Tim Howard, Dipsan Tirkey, Sanjeep Nilam Xess, Birendra Lakra, Anmol Ekka, Yogember Rawat, Amir Ali

Midfielders: Jacob Draper, Yashdeep Siwach, Jack Waller, Timothee Clement, Lee Morton, Vishnukant Singh, Sannuvanda Uthappa, Manpreet Singh

Forwards: Nikkin Thimmaiah, Struan Walker, SV Sunil, Victor Charlet, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Mandeep Singh

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Delhi SG Pipers vs Team Gonasika: Prediction

The imposing forward line of Team Gonasika is certain to cause a few headaches for the Pipers who will rely on Gareth Furlong to direct the drag-flicks home. Oliver Payne and Suraj Karkera will be as tough to beat in the Gonasika goal as the Vizag side begins as the favorites in the season opener.

Score Prediction: Team Gonasika 4 - 2 Delhi SG Pipers

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Where to watch Hockey India League 2024 matches in India?

Matches of the Hockey India League 2024 will be telecast on the Sony Sports Network and Doordarshan and streamed live on SonyLiv and Waves.