Team focus: Hockey India League - Delhi Waveriders
Being true to their name, Delhi Waveriders have indeed created waves with their scintillating performances in both the previous editions of HIL.Finishing runners-up in the inaugural year and then taking up a notch and winning it last year, the incumbent champions are ready for an encore.
A team comprising of quality players in every department and being led by the “Sangfroid Sardar” Singh, it would be an uphill battle for the other challengers to dislodge the reigning champions from their throne.
TEAM OVERVIEW
Owner: Wave group and John Abraham
Head Coach: Cedric D’ souza
Manager: Ajit Pal Singh
Captain: Sardar Singh
Home Stadium: Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Delhi (Capacity – 16,200)
TEAM COMPOSITION
|
Player |
Nationality |
Position |
|---|---|---|
|
Rassie Pieterse |
South Africa |
Goalkeeper |
|
Gurpreet Singh |
India |
Goalkeeper |
|
Pirman Blaak |
Netherlands |
Goalkeeper |
|
Yuvraj Walmiki |
India |
Forward |
|
Danish Mujtaba |
India |
Forward |
|
Lloyd Norris Jones |
South Africa |
Forward |
|
Jason Wilson |
Australia |
Forward |
|
Simon Child |
New Zealand |
Forward |
|
Akashdeep |
India |
Forward |
|
Imran Khan |
India |
Forward |
|
Talwinder Singh |
India |
Forward |
|
Matt Ghodes |
Australia |
Forward |
|
Armaan Qureshi |
India |
Forward |
|
G.S Chandi |
India |
Forward |
|
Rupinderpal Singh |
India |
Defender |
|
Tristan White |
Australia |
Defender |
|
Andrew Hayward |
New Zealand |
Defender |
|
Surender Kumar |
India |
Defender |
|
Steven Edwards |
New Zealand |
Defender |
|
Divakar Ram |
India |
Defender |
|
Gurbaj Singh |
India |
Midfielder |
|
Timmothy Drummond |
South Africa |
Defender/Midfielder |
|
B.K Kerketta |
India |
Midfielder |
|
Sardar Singh |
India |
Midfielder |
Past Performances
With just two losses each in both the 2013 & 2014 season and a overall win percentage of 72%, Waveriders are the epitome of consistency. Known for their flawless game, they have hardly put a foot wrong in any of the previous campaigns.
Key Players
Defence
In defence Waveriders have India’s first-choice fullback – the lanky Rupinder Pal Singh. He is also the overall top goalscorer for the Delhi side. All his drag flicks are pernicious in nature and a sure goal threat.
Partnering him at the back are seasoned player like Tristan White, Steven Edward and a new addition in New Zealand stopper Andrew Hayward. Delhi’s defence looks very settled. Opponents would have to produce something special in order to break this fortress.
Midfield
The biggest advantage that Delhi have and the other teams don’t is their midfield maestro – Sardar Singh. The captain cool is the fulcrum of Delhi’s midfield and the whole game revolves around him. His telescopic eyes sees passes which others fail to spot. His ability to control the pace of the game and keep possession of the ball has helped the team considerably.
Nevertheless he also has the able support of Gurbaj Singh, Timmothy Drummand and B.K Kerkatta.
Forward
One thing the Waveriders have in abundance is quality forwards. Brilliant youngsters like Danish Murjtaba,Yuvraj Walmiki,G.S. Chandi and Indian team’s protagonist of 2014 – Akashdeep Singh.
Akashdeep is in the form of his life and would be itching to prove his goalscoring prowess. Among foreign recruits, New Zealand’s Simon Child and Australian Jason Wilson will add further firepower to this enviable forward line.