PREVIEW
Hyderabad Toofans will face Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers in the second match of the Hockey India League 2024-25 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela on Sunday.
Toofans outbid the Pipers and Lancers to secure Germany’s Gonzalo Peillat for Rs 68 lakh, making the drag flick expert the most expensive overseas player this edition.
Head coach Pasha Gademan, Germany’s assistant coach during its 2023 World Cup triumph and silver medal finish at the Paris Olympics, believes Peillat’s experience and skill will be key to holding the team together both on and off the pitch.
The team, set to be led by Sumit Walmiki, has made smart acquisitions, including Arthur De Sloover, Nilakanta Sharma, Nic Woods, Zachary Wallace, and Dominic Dixon.
While most teams spent big on drag flickers, the Bengal Tigers made India forward Abhishek Nain (Rs 72 lakh) its top pick. Colin Batch, who has coached Australia to international success, will helm the coaching reins. Former India international Rupinder Pal Singh will lead the team.
FULL SQUADS
Hyderabad Toofans:
Defenders: Avhad Akshay Ravindra, Mukul Sharma, Amandeep Lakra, Devindar Walmiki, Gonzalo Peillat (Germany), Arthur De Sloover (Belgium), Jacob Anderson (Australia), Sundram Singh Rajawat
Midfielders: Zachary Wallace (Great Britain), Rajinder Singh, Darshan Vibhav Gawkar, Nic Woods (Australia), Rahim Aakib Sayyed, Maico Casella (Argentina), Sumit Walmiki (c), Nilakanta Sharma
Forwards: Timothy Daniel (Australia), Shilanand Lakra, Irengbam Rohit Singh, Talwinder Singh, Arshdeep Singh
Goalkeepers: Vikas Dahiya, Dominic Dixon (New Zealand), Bikramjit Singh
Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers:
Defenders: Jugraj Singh, Hayden Beltz (Australia), Gauthier Boccard (Belgium), Rupinder Pal Singh (c), Jasjit Singh Kular, Sebastian Dockier (Belgium)
Midfielders: Tim Cross (Ireland), Jaskaran Singh, Sean Findlay (New Zealand), Pardeep Mor, CB Pradhan Poovanna, Affan Yousuf, Atul Deep, Yogesh Malik Singh, Pardeep Singh Sandhu, Thounaojam Ingalemba Luwang
Forwards: Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Florent Van Aubel (Belgium), Sam Lane (New Zealand), Gursewak Singh
Goalkeepers: Jamie Carr (Ireland), Ali Khan, Atal Dev Singh Chahal
When is the men’s Hockey India League match between Hyderabad Toofans and Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers?
The men’s Hockey India League 2024-25 match between Hyderabad Toofans and Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers will begin at 6PM IST on Sunday at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela.
Where to watch Hyderabad Toofans vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers HIL match LIVE?
The men’s Hockey India League 2024-25 match between Hyderabad Toofans vs Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers will be LIVE telecast on the Sony Sports Network (Sony Sports 1, Sony Sports 3, Sony Sports 4). It will also be telecast by Doordarshan.
SonyLIV and WAVES platforms will LIVE stream the match. Moreover, you can stay tuned to Sportstar’s website and app for the latest updates from the fixture.