HIL: Hail India League

By Arnab Lall Seal, TNN

After 28 days, 34 matches and 147 goals, Ranchi Rhinos did the unthinkable, beating Delhi Waveriders in the final to win the inaugural edition of the Hockey India League (HIL). The match was as exhilarating as a final should have been, and it was the Rhinos who had the last laugh after Waveriders grabbed all the headlines over the past one month.

There was madness on the streets as Ranchiites partied, even making the players join them. Supporters surrounded the team bus at Albert Ekka Chowk, and the celebration was so intense that the uninitiated would have thought they were celebrating a World Cup triumph in some sport. That exuberance is understandable. The last one month has been tough on the people of Jharkhand. The state has been under President’s rule since January 18, so this win comes as a welcome distraction.

But most encouragingly, HIL’s appeal is not limited to hockey lovers. The tournament has been able to turn players and coaches into fans. Even India coach Michael Nobbs has said HIL will help “India evolve into a powerhouse in the world of hockey again.” After coming up with their worst-ever performances in the London Olympics last year, that prophecy is something the country would desperately want to be proven true.

HIL has not only been a landmark in terms of the money the players earned, it has also given the Indians the opportunity to learn from the stalwarts of international hockey.

“It’s great for Indian hockey as the young players are getting to learn a lot from the top players around the world, who are tactically stronger,” said Waveriders coach AK Bansal.

However, Punjab Warriors coach Barry Dancer doesn’t believe that Indian players lack anything that the foreign players have. “Even though there is no difference between the Indians and foreign players, the senior players of India have learnt to take responsibility and there has been a huge development in the way they approach the game,” said Dancer.

Rise of a young breed of talented Indians has also been a big plus from the tournament. Mandeep Singh, Manpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra, Malak Singh, Gurmail Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Ranjit Singh and Gurinder Singh have impressed one and all. They bode well for India’s future.

Even though there is no doubt about the tournament’s success, the foreign recruits are reluctant to compare it with the club competitions in Europe.

“The European club competition is very different to HIL. There we practise together for over a year and the team builds up slowly. As a result, the team performance in HIL is average but the individual brilliance is as good as that of the European clubs,” said Rhinos skipper Moritz Fuerste.

Moreover, HIL organizers have to do something about the scheduling of the tournament. It came under a lot of criticism over the past few weeks. “The tournament has been very long and difficult,” said Rhinos head coach Gregg Clark just ahead of their semifinal against UP Wizards.

Teun de Nooijer of UP Wizards, however, believes that if there are more teams in the tournament, it will be a lot easier for the players. “I’m told there will be six or eight teams in the tournament from next year. That will make it more interesting and also more competitive. Playing 14 matches within such a short span of time is very difficult and it would be good if we play around 12,” said the Dutch star.

Another cause for concern has been the umpiring standards and it was Mumbai Magicians coach Ric Charlesworth who had called for the video referral system to be introduced.

One of the other talking points of HIL was the fact that the players from Pakistan could not take part in the tournament and had to go back for reasons not related to hockey.

But if International Hockey Federation (FIH) president Leandro Negre is to be believed, this was a one-time crisis and the players from Pakistan will be able to participate from next year.

Despite those hitches, HIL has definitely provided Indian hockey a great platform from where they can launch their journey back to glory.

The gains

Hockey players got big money, for the first time

Indian players got to play with top foreign stars

Event threw up some exciting young talent

Buzz created for the sports, especially in smaller centres like Ranchi

Experts feel HIL may help Indian hockey climb the international ladder again

Grey areas

Schedule was a bit tight, hence too demanding on players

Umpiring standards left something to be desired

Should have at least one more team to make it more interesting