Hardik Singh named UP Rudras captain for Hockey India League 2024

Dutchman Paul Van Ass is the head coach of UP Rudras for the upcoming edition of the HIL.

UP Rudras, the Lucknow-based franchise of the Hockey India League, has announced India vice-captain and talismanic midfielder Hardik Singh as its squad captain. The Arjuna Award winner, who also received the prestigious FIH Player of the Year Award in 2023, has earned 140 caps for India. He will lead a talented squad under the guidance of gaffer Paul Van Ass and Technical Director Cedric Dsouza.

Owned by Yadu Sports, UP Rudras have assembled a strong squad that also features young sensation Priyobarta Talem, Gurjot Singh along with some of the stalwarts of Indian and international Hockey, including Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Simranjeet Singh, Lars Balk, and Kane Russel.

“A true leader on and off the pitch, on behalf of the entire Yadu Sports family, I would like to congratulate Hardik on being announced as the team captain. I had a chance to meet Paul, Thomas, and Cedric at the auctions, and I was delighted to know that our coaching staff had successfully managed to scalp all their right targets.

“I believe that the squad we have assembled is full of leaders, and they have all it takes to play mesmerizing hockey and win the people’s hearts. The bigger, better, and bolder version of the Hockey India League is bound to further revive India’s stature as a global hockey powerhouse, and I believe a competition of this stature has the capability of nurturing future leaders,” said Mr. Madhavkrishna Singhania, Co-Founder, Yadu Sports.

Paul Van Ass, the head coach of the team said, “Hardik was our first pick at the auctions, and we were sure of him leading the side. Having seen him consistently do well for India and being a part of the Indian team that won two back-to-back Olympic bronze medals is no small feat.

“We are sure that with his ability to understand the nuances and intricacies of the game, he will not only lead the team well but will also bring the best out of those around him.”

Also Read: Doordarshan announced as official broadcast partner for Hockey India League 2024

Hardik Singh expressed his excitement and gratitude towards his new role. “I am extremely grateful to our management staff for giving me this opportunity. It will be nothing less than a pleasure to lead UP Rudras in this season of the Hockey India League. Representing and captaining a team based out of the legendary Dhyanchand Ji’s hometown is everything a player can ask for.

“We have a fantastic squad with strength across every department, and, more importantly, I am delighted to lead a side that shares a common love and passion for the sport together, we are eagerly waiting to wear the UP Rudras jersey and step onto the field to give it our best.”

Hardik Singh’s awards and recognitions

Year	Achievement
2020	Bronze Medal – Tokyo Olympics
2021	Arjuna Award
2022	Gold Medal – Asian Games
	Silver Medal – Commonwealth Games
	Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year
2023	Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year
	FIH Player of the Year Award

The UP Rudras will begin phase 1 of their campaign in the league by taking on Vedanta Kalinga Lancers on December 30 at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela.

UP Rudras squad

Defenders: Lars Balk, Kane Russell, Surender Kumar, Rafael Vilallonga,Priyobarta Talem, Sunil Jojo, Sharda Nand Tiwari, Prashant Barla

Midfielders: Hardik Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Simranjeet Singh, Floris Wortelboer, James Albery, Manmeet Singh, Jobanpreet Singh

Forwards: Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Tanguy Cosyns, Gurjot Singh, Mohd. Zaid Khan, Sudeep Chirmako, Sam Ward

Goalkeepers: Prashant Kumar Chauhan, James Mazarelo, Pankaj Kumar Rajak

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