Top 5 hockey players who made India proud in 2017
2017 has been a relatively good year for Indian hockey. Barring an average show at the FIH Hockey World League Semifinals 2017, held at Lee Valley Tennis and Hockey Centre, London, the Indian hockey team has impressed the spectators and the critics alike, having won the Asia Cup, as well as securing a podium finish in both the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and the FIH Hockey World League.
On the other hand, the women's hockey team has also shown a brilliant improvement in their play, and has shown signs of revival by winning the Women's Asia Cup, also securing a direct qualification to the upcoming Women's Hockey World Cup by winning the tournament.
The following is a list of the top 5 Indian hockey players who've made India proud in 2017
#5 Akashdeep Singh
The gutsy forward, who plays currently for the Uttar Pradesh Wizards, has managed to keep his image intact as the dependable forward for the Indian men's team, having scored for the team whenever needed.
The only thing that he misses is the support of the defenders, which often diminishes the charm of his brilliant stickwork, as it was at Rio Olympics, where despite Akashdeep scoring the lead in the first half of the quarterfinals, the defenders threw both the match and a possible podium finish away, losing 1-3 to Belgium and finishing a disappointing 8th.
Even though this wasn't the best year for the forward, Akashdeep still managed to push the ball in at crucial moments in tournaments like Asia Cup, FIH Hockey World League, etc. We hope that 2018 brings out the best in him.