Ranchi Rays retains its best players for HIL
Defending champions Ranchi Rays have decided to retain their English captain Ashley Jackson and five other key players for the upcoming and the next season of the Hockey India League.
Besides Jackson, Barry Middleton (also from England), defender Birendra Lakra, and Indian players Kothajit Singh and Manpreet Singh along with Australian defender Fergus Kavanagh have been retained by the team.
Jackson had scored 12 goals to help his team to clinch the 2015 HIL title.
Among the 12 goals, he converted 11 penalty corners and became the top-scorer of the HIL and also the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament.
Middleton also proved to be a versatile with four goals.
Lakra led the defence of the Ranchi Rays and has been an integral part of the team. Apart from him, Kothajit Singh holds the defence of the team.
Both the players have played more than 100 international matches and their vast experience will solidify the defence-line of the team.
Speaking on their retained players, Ranchi Rays stated, “All the players retained by us were hugely instrumental towards our win in the third edition of the Hockey India League. The players held back by us are a good mix of defenders as well as strikers.”
Speaking on Ranchi Rays’ decision to retain him, Lakra said, “The presence of Ashley is very important for us as he knows the inside-out of the team and we enjoy playing under his leadership.”