Desperate to shrugg of their chokers tag, last two editions runners-up Jaypee Punjab Warriors (JPW) would look for a positive start to their campaign when they face defending champions Ranchi Rays in their opening match of the Hockey India League, here tomorrow.
For JPW, tomorrow's match also provides them with an opportunity to avenge upon the loss against the Ranchi Rays in the final of last year's HIL.
The coming edition of HIL starting in Bhubaneshwar today will be a big opportunity for JPW to set the record straight after coming so close to the title twice in the 2014 and 2015 editions.
JPW head coach Barry Dancer, who is the only coach to have served in all four seasons of the HIL and responsible for guiding Australia to their Olympic gold medal finish at the 2004 Athens Olympics, is looking forward to working together with Indian captain Sardar Singh, who moved from Delhi Waveriders to the Jaypee Punjab Warriors this year.
Dancer is the senior of the three Australian coaches in this edition of HIL, representing Australia in the 70s with Mark Hager and Jay Stacy, who are coaching the Kalinga Lancers and Dabang Mumbai respectively.
The JPW squad is a perfect mix of talented 12 Indian and seven Australian players with Mark Gleghorne being the sole Englishman in the team.
The squad will see Jugraj Singh and Tristan Chemons guard the goal posts while Varun Kumar, Harbir Sandhu, Chris Ciriello, Nick Haig and Mark Knowles will form the defensive line.
Skipper Sardar Singh, MB Aiyappa, Simon Orchard, Matt Gohdes and Gleghorne will form the midfield, while the forward line consists of Satbir Singh, SV Sunil, Jasjit Khular, Gurwinder Chandi, Armaan Qureshi, Nithin Thimmaiah and Jacob Whetton.
Ranchi Rays, co-owned by India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, on other hand, will be hoping to carry on their form from last season.
The Ranchi outfit, who went on to win the title after making its debut last year, would be high on confidence and would be looking to assert their supremacy over JPW tomorrow.
But it would be easier said than done as the Rays are expected to face a hostile crowd, who would be rooting for the Punjab boys.
