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| Devindar Walmiki retained by Kaling Lancers |
Co-owned by MCI and IDCO, Kalinga Lancers will be looking to infuse some experience in the side during September’s player auctions as they have decided to retain only five players (three domestic and two foreign) for next two editions of Hockey India League. Kalinga Lancers finished fifth in the last edition of the tournament.
Kalinga Lancers with their young and
inexperienced players started last season brilliantly beating champions Ranchi Rays 6-3 in the opening match of the tournament but lost their momentum as the tournament progressed.
Among the players retained for the next two seasons are young Indian strikers Lalit Upadhyay and Devindar Walmiki have shown great promise in the last edition of the tournament creating some good goal scoring chances for the team. Kalinga Lancers also retained young penalty corner expert Gurjinder Singh.
Interestingly, Kalinga Lancers have only retained two foreign players, both Australian forward Aran Zalewski who was heart of most of Kalinga’s attack and goalkeeper Andrew Charter who made some fine saves in the tournament. Surprisingly Gonzlao Peillat who was team’s top scorer was not retained for the upcoming seasons of Hockey India League.
Ms. Rina Mohaptara, spokesperson of Kalinga Lancers was happy to announce the names of retained player’s saying- We did not have chance to participate in the first auction of Hockey India League. However, the young Kalinga Lancers players showed high-class talent and stunned everyone in the hockey fraternity. They played extremely well and we managed to beat top teams in the league. This is the reason we have retained core group of players, such as Lalit Upadhyay, Devindar Walmiki and Gurjinder Singh who are now the poster boys of the team and hockey fans in Odisha love their game. The Australian duo of Aran Zalewski and Andrew Charter are also great assets for the team and their experience will help us upcoming season.
Lalit Upadhyay who was retained by Kalinga Lancers said- It is a great feeling that the team management has trust in my abilities (to retain me as core player) and their decision has boosed my morale and also given me confidence to play better in next edition of Hockey India League. Having, Devindar, Gurjinder, Aran and Andrew in the team is also a good feeling as I enjoy playing with them. They are great team players and their experience will surely help the team to achieve more
