Lakra will spearhead the backline of Ranchi Rays along side Kothajit Singh, Fergus Kavanagh and Timothy Deavin of Australia.
"I am ready for the challenge. This year's Coal India HIL will be a new beginning for me and I really want to make this opportunity count," Lakra said.
"Gaining match practice against so many top players going into an important calendar year for Indian team is crucial for me," said Lakra, who missed out on the Rio Olympics due to a ligament injury and was out of action for over six months lst year.
"The results at the Asian Champions Trophy and the tour of Australia was a great confidence booster for me. After a long lay-off due to injury, it takes a while to gain back the confidence of playing high intensity matches. At the back of your head, you are thinking I shouldn't get injured again.
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The Ranchi Rays team arrived in Mumbai on January 15 and since have been training at the Mahindra Hockey Stadium where they play their first match against Dabang Mumbai on the opening day of the HIL on January 21.
Lakra feels the Ranchi outfit has great potential to lift the trophy this year.
"We have a strong line-up and many of us in the team have played together for a while so we understand each other's game well. Having junior Indian team players (Vikramjit Singh and Simranjeet Singh) who are carrying the confidence from their Junior World Cup win will also make a difference to our team," he said.
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