5 star players to watch out for the Jaypee Punjab Warriors

Modified Jan 08, 2016 18:55 IST

One of the most impressive sides in the competition, the Jaypee Punjab Warriors boast of some very impressive names with the likes of Sardar Singh and others making them a force to reckon with.Here’s a look at some of the star players of the Jaypee Pubjab Warriors

#5 Mark Knowles

The 31-year-old Queenslander lends loads of experience to the Jaypee Punjab Warriors side. The three-time World Cupper and triple Olympian has a dominating presence in the midfield often hurtling back to assist the defence and also move forward to help the strike force when needed. Knowles a member of Australia alone Olympic gold-winning team in 2004 is expected to work in cohesion with equally talented Sardar Singh and it does appear that the Punjab midfield could be their biggest forte. Married to Jamie Dwyer sister Kelly, Knowles will have a big role to play in the 2016 Coal India Hockey India League

#4 Sardar Singh

Considered one of the world’s top centre-halfs, the Indian captain will have a lot to prove in the new set up after playing three seasons for Delhi Waveriders. His modest purchase price of $58,000 and not being retained by Delhi Waveriders raises eyebrows and the midfielder will be keen to put up a showing, which indicate that he is worth lot more than that. The 2016 Coal India Hockey India League will be a massive opportunity to prove that he is a class act

#3 Chris Ciriello

He is a huge utility player who can just unleash not just powerful drag-flicks from penalty corners but also work like a rock in the team’s defence. Nicknamed Big Dog the 30-year-old Victorian is a big match player – we remember his superb hat-trick in Australia’s 6-1 decimation of the Netherlands at the 2014 World Cup final. Jaypee Punjab Warriors will bank heavily on him during penalty corner situations and also when an opposition is essaying a threatening raid in the Coal India Hockey India League.

#2 Nicolas Jacobi

The German goalkeeper was a standout performer for Delhi Waveriders in the first three editions of the Hockey India League. Jacobi will replace Dutchman Jaap Stockmann, who is considered one of the best in the world but surprisingly went unsold at the auction after he was not retained for the next two editions. Jacobi, who played at the 2014 World Cup and was one of the reserve shot-stoppers for the 2012 London Olympics, will be keen to live to the expectations of the Punjab franchise in the 2016 Coal India Hockey India League

#1 SV Sunil

With a burst of speed is the Indian forward’s main weapon. Sunil is a joy to watch when he darts through the flanks or through the centre. His sudden acceleration often catches opponents by surprise and at most times, he sets it up for others instead of scoring on his own. No wonder, Jaypee Punjab Warriors have retained him for the 2016 and 2017 editions of the Coal India Hockey India League. He should form a lethal pair alongside eyeballs-grabbing purchase boy Gurwinder Singh Chandi, who is coming off a long injury-induced absence.

Edited by Staff Editor