5 memorable moments from the 2015 Hockey India League

It was an exciting end to another season of Hockey India League (HIL). Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s midas touch has cast it’s spell again, as his team Ranchi Rays, formerly Ranchi Rhinos earned their second title and have established themselves as an unstoppable force in the tourney. Jaypee Punjab Warriors would be rueing their bad luck as they finished as runners-up for the second year in a row.Nevertheless, all teams were phenomenal this year evident by the number of close games we witnessed over the last one month. A lot of youngsters came into their own and delivered the goods when it mattered the most. Not to be left behind, big guns also gave some memorable performances and led their team from the front.Here we take a look at 5 of the most memorable moments from HIL this year.

#5 Sandeep Singh shines again.

No surprises here. Sandeep Singh made his presence felt yet again by being the second highest scorer of the tournament. This is for the third time on the trot that Sandeep has fired the scoring charts and got himself back in the reckoning for the national call-up.

The senior pro who was out of the national team last year has once more proved that he is still one of the best known drag flicker in the world and has plenty more left to show. Whether this performance will bring him back to the national fold or not, only time will tell. However,it is always good to see the veteran performing and showing his true class.

#4 Closely contested matches

Barring a few matches, every game in the tourney turned out to be a humdinger. All matches were too close to call and the small margin of victories made it more intense. Fans enjoyed this see-saw battle which kept them on tenterhooks throughtout the match.

Take the case of Rays last league match against Punjab. Going into the final seconds of the game, Ranchi were trailing behind. Skipper Jackson scored a hattrick to make sure Rays topped the points table at the end of the game.

#3 Emphatic support from the crowd

It was a welcome sight to see crowd turn out in numbers to cheer for their team in all the matches. Such support for hockey augurs well for the development of the game. School children were given an opportunity to join players on the field before the start of a game. The players also did not disappoint their fans and fired on all cylinders scoring plethora of goals.

Every time Manpreet Singh of Ranchi Rays had the ball, the whole Ranchi crowd went berserk and chanted his name like he was from their soil.

Matching their brethren in Ranchi, the supporters of Kalinga Lancers also, despite the poor showings of the team, always kept the stadium’s decibel level loud and euphoric.

#2 Coming of age performances by the youngsters

The first season of HIL had brought many budding youngsters like Mandeep Singh , Manpreet Singh and Akashdeep Singh to the fore. These youngsters have developed their game tremendously over the past three seasons. For instance,it was heartening to see Mandeep Singh of Ranchi Rays trying to assist his partners upfront and not just going solo for glory. Not only that, he also helped the defense now and then guiding his team to a win.

Similarly, Affan Yousuf for Punjab, Akashdeep for Delhi, Ramandeep for U.P. put up a good show.

#1 Ranchi Rays crowned champions again

The most consistent team of the HIL gave Ranchi fans something to cheer about. Despite a faltering start to this season, the Ranchi outfit bounced back strongly and clinched the title in their inimitable style.

Captain Ashley Jackson was the main pivot who guided the team to their second championship.The top scorer of the tournament filled in the big boots of German Moritz Fuerste in brilliant fashion. Jackson and Barry Middleton tormented the opposition’s defence incessantly.

The likes of Birendra Lakra, Kothajit Singh also played their part to perfection. Credit must also go to goalkeeper Tyler Lovell who held his nerves during the penalty shoot-outs in both the semi-final and final to ensure victory for the team.