Punjab Warriors name their retained players list, Knowles and Ciriello form core group

Australia's Mark Knowles retained Punjab Warriors

Jaypee Group owned Jaypee Punjab Warriors today named their list of players who will be retained for 2016 and 2017 season of Hockey India League. The best team of HIL (at least on paper) have gone for the experience of Australian players under the foreign players quota.

Jaypee Warriors have retained defenders Mark Knowles, Chris Ciriello and striker Jake Whetton under the foreign player quota. These three players will be supported by
Indian striker SV Sunil, and youngsters Satbir Singh and Varun Kumar who have been retained under the quota of Indian players.

In the first three seasons of Hockey India League, Jaypee Punjab Warriors invested heavily on recruiting foreign players signing the likes of Jamie Dwyers, Jaap Sctockmann among others foreign players but the recruiment of Indian contingent was not as effective as the foreign players. The Jaypee Warriors team management will be hoping to secure more balanced side for next two seasons when they will take part in next month's players auctions.

Australia's Mark Knowles was the costliest player for Punjab Warriors as Jaypee Group paid $ 65000 as his retainer fees. SV Sunil cost $ 50000, midfielder Satbir Singh was retained for $45000 while Chris Ciriello and Jake Whetton cost Punjab Warriors $42500 and $40000 respectively. Varun Kumar turned out to be a bargain for Punjab Warriors as it just cost $10000 to secure his services.

Team manager and coach Jagbir Singh said- "The players retained are part of core group of the squad and the experience brought by the players is invaluable to the squad. We will build the team around the players retained and their presence will help new players to adjust with our style of play."

Jagbir Singh also thanked Hockey India for providing with a great league saying, " I would like to thank Hockey India for this esteemed league, which is getting more competitive year by year."

Indian striker SV Sunil who is currently in Spain to prepare for Rio Olympics was also happy after being retained by Punjab Warriors saying- " I am happy to be part of wonderful team and very motivated as they have retained me. I am expecting  a good result in Hockey India League 2016 and we will try to clinch the title  this coming year."

Jaypee Punjab Warriors have reached the finals of the Hockey India League twice but finished on the losing side both the time. With this core group and a new squad, Punjab Warriors can once again be called as favorites in the tournament.