Even before it began, I knew the world’s costliest league, the meticulously conceived Coal India Hockey India League, will be closely competed and full of suspense. Still, it has surpassed everyone’s expectations and predictions.
It took 26 close contests to spot the first semifinalist, and then, with just two matches remaining, another has surfaced.
The last two matches will decided the leftover two spots semifinalists! Overall, its has all the trappings of a thriller novel.
I started the HIL as a side-line connoisseur, before being invited to be part of it. My team, Ranchi Rays, despite taking early leads and being pool toppers, were stretched in the last mile, before we asserted our game. I know in my heart of hearts that every move we made in the last encounter increased our heart beats.
As we look upon who will be our last 4 rival, Wednesday’s encounter between Delhi Waveriders and Kalinga Lancers assumes significance insofar as the last four line-up is concerned.
As we observed so far, Kalinga is the team to watch in this year’s HIL. It’s forward line, in particular, has won lots of hearts, for the right reasons. Glenn Turner’s early athleticism, young Malak Singh’s opportunism, the ever-reliable Moritz Furste’s ‘smiling assassin’ level of calmness, and Lalit Upadhyay’s sizzling runs downs on the flanks have helped Lancers be a force to reckon with.
The same team last year were whipping boys. But in sports, patience and perseverance pay. Lancers is a standing example of this.
Such a wonderful and transformed outfit are in need of a victory. Up against them are twice finalist Delhi Waveriders. The latter have one of the youngest forward lines, but the most reliable penalty-corner specialists. These two vital departments have faltered, and thats why they have had a midway roller-coaster ride.
