Indian midfielder Hardik Singh has been appointed as the captain of the UP Rudras for the upcoming season of the Hockey India League (HIL). The announcement was made by team owner Mr. Madhavkrishna Singhania, who hailed Hardik as a “true leader on and off the pitch.”
Hardik, a vital cog in India’s hockey setup, has already achieved remarkable success, including two Olympic bronze medals. His leadership qualities and experience have made him the ideal choice to guide the Rudras in their HIL campaign.
Head coach Paul Van Ass expressed his faith in Hardik, saying, “His experience and composure will be crucial for the team in high-pressure situations.”
The 24-year-old skipper shared his excitement about the new role, particularly the significance of representing a team based in the hometown of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. “Representing and captaining a team based out of the legendary Dhyanchand Ji’s hometown is everything a player can ask for,” Hardik said.
HIL 2024 Format
The 2024 HIL season kicks off in Rourkela with Phase 1 scheduled from December 28 to January 18. During this phase, all eight teams will play against each other once.
From January 19, the tournament moves into Phase 2, where the teams will be divided into two pools:
- Pool A: Delhi SG Pipers, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, Soorma Hockey Club, Vedanta Kalinga Lancers
- Pool B: Gonasika, Hyderabad Toofans, Tamil Nadu Dragons, UP Rudras
Teams will compete within their pools, with the top four teams progressing to the semifinals on January 31. The final will be played on February 2, crowning the champions of this prestigious league.
UP Rudras Squad
Defenders: Lars Balk, Kane Russell, Surender Kumar, Rafael Vilallonga, Priyobarta Talem, Sunil Jojo, Sharda Nand Tiwari, Prashant Barla
Midfielders: Hardik Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Simranjeet Singh, Floris Wortelboer, James Albery, Manmeet Singh, Jobanpreet Singh
Forwards: Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Tanguy Cosyns, Gurjot Singh, Mohd. Zaid Khan, Sudeep Chirmako, Sam Ward
Goalkeepers: Prashant Kumar Chauhan, James Mazarelo, Pankaj Kumar Rajak
