5 best Indian performers in the 2015 HIL season
Considered as ‘the world’s best hockey league’ by many experts and players, the 2015 Hockey India League (HIL) season is all set for an enthralling finish. The HIL has helped improve the Indian team’s performance, according to the drag flicker Sandeep Singh and many others. With both the semi finals being scheduled for the Saturday night, the top four teams will be fighting it out to win the third edition of the HIL. It would be interesting to see if the defending champions Delhi Waveriders (DWR) will be able to retain the trophy else HIL will see a new champion this time.Ashley Jackson has so far been the stand out performer this season and it is a heartening fact that many Indian stars have had a very good tournament so far.With what promises to be two final grueling days of play, let us look at the top Indian performers in HIL this season.
#5 Birendra Lakra (Ranchi Rays)
The Asian games gold medalist has been one of the most influential performers for Ranchi Rays this season.
Playing for the new franchise - owned by Sahara India Pariwar and Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni- Lakra was adjudged the man of the match in the match against the team from Delhi.
Except for conceding six goals against the Kalinga Lancers in the away fixture, the Rays defense led by Lakra, has given a reasonably solid performance by managing to keep two clean sheets.
Hailing from a family of hockey players, the 25-year old, made a name for himself earlier by scoring a superb goal in India's victory in the final game of the Olympic Hockey qualifying tournament.