Vedanta Limited has announced the official squad for the Kalinga Lancers, marking the team’s return to the Hockey India League (HIL) 2024 after a seven-year break. With a strategic approach to the player auction, Vedanta successfully built a strong and balanced team that blends emerging talent and experienced players, positioning the Kalinga Lancers as top contenders for the upcoming tournament.
The team’s lineup includes international stars such as Aran Zalewski, Alexander Hendrickx, and Thierry Brinkman, along with promising Indian players like Rosan Kujur and Mukesh Toppo. The combination of seasoned professionals and young talent makes the Kalinga Lancers one of the most competitive teams in the league.
Kalinga Lancers Squad
- Defenders: Sanjay (Rs 38 lakh), Mandeep Mor (Rs 19 lakh), Alexander Hendrickx (Rs 23 lakh), Arthur Van Doren (Rs 32 lakh), Antoine Kina (Rs 16 lakh), Partap Lakra (Rs 2 lakh), Sushil Dhanwar (Rs 2 lakh), Rohit Kullu (Rs 2 lakh)
- Midfielders: Aran Zalewski (Rs 27 lakh), Moriangthem Rabichandra (Rs 32 lakh), Enrique Gonzalez (Rs 10 lakh), Mukesh Toppo (Rs 5 lakh), Rosan Kujur (Rs 12.5 lakh), Nicholas Bandurak (Rs 5 lakh)
- Forwards: Boby Singh Dhami (Rs 20 lakh), Dilpreet Singh (Rs 34 lakh), Thierry Brinkman (Rs 38 lakh), Angad Bir Singh (Rs 26 lakh), Roshan Minz (Rs 2 lakh), Gursahibjit Singh (Rs 6 lakh), Deepak Pradhan (Rs 2 lakh)
- Goalkeepers: Krishan Pathak (Rs 32 lakh), Tobias Reynolds-Cotterill (Rs 2 lakh), Sahil Kumar Nayak (Rs 2 lakh)
The squad comprises 24 players, including 8 overseas players, with Vedanta retaining a remaining auction purse of Rs 10.5 lakh. The company has committed to providing the team with top-tier infrastructure, world-class training facilities, and expert support staff to ensure optimal performance throughout the tournament.
Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer of Vedanta Aluminium, expressed pride in the team’s formation, stating, “Hockey is integral to India’s sporting heritage, and we are excited to contribute to its growth through the Kalinga Lancers. Our efforts extend beyond the sport, as Vedanta is committed to nurturing talent across various disciplines, including grassroots development in archery, karate, and football.”
David John, Strategy Director for the team, emphasized the importance of discipline and a fast-paced approach in their gameplay strategy. He noted that the team’s training environment, infrastructure, and expert staff would enable the Kalinga Lancers to take on the challenges ahead and make a lasting impact in this year’s HIL.
Vedanta’s acquisition of the Kalinga Lancers is also part of its broader efforts to drive socio-economic development in Odisha, with the company actively promoting local talent and investing in the region’s hockey culture.
Vedanta has a significant presence in Odisha, operating India’s largest aluminium plant in Jharsuguda and an advanced alumina refinery in Kalahandi. Through its various ventures, including investments in coal, bauxite, and iron ore, Vedanta plays a crucial role in India’s “Make in India” initiative, contributing nearly half of the country’s aluminium production.
Vedanta Aluminium, a part of Vedanta Limited, is India’s top aluminium producer and a leader in value-added products, with a strong focus on sustainability. The company ranks first in the 2023 S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment for the aluminium industry and is committed to reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 or sooner.
