Ranchi Rays retains six key players for Hockey India League 2016

Ranchi Rays have retained captain Ashley Jackson for HIL2016

With the three year contract of players with HIL franchises getting over, Hockey India League has given franchises an option to retain up to six players (three foreign and three domestic) from the previous year squad for the next edition of Hockey India League. Taking advantage of the rule, champions of 2015, Ranchi Rays have retained six key players for the next edition of Hockey India League.

Owned by captain of Indian cricket team Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Sahara India, Ranchi Rays have retained three foreign and three domestic players for next season of Hockey India League. Among the retained players, Ranchi Rays have retained Captain Ashley Jackson and compatriot Barry Middleton along with Australian defender Fergus Kavanagh. Ashley Jackson played an instrumental role in helping Ranchi Rays win the title as he scored 12 goals in the tournament to become the top goal scorer and also win Most Valuable Player award. 

Ranchi Rays have also retained star Indian players, Manpreet Singh, Kothajit Singh and defender Birendra Lakra for the next season. 

Ranchi Rays paid $ 95,000 to retain Captain Ashley Jackson, $ 67,000 for foward Barry Middleton and $ 60,000 for defender Fergus Kavanagh. Among the Indian players, Birendra Lakra was retained for $ 55,000 while Kothajit Singh and Manpreet Singh were retained for $ 45,000 and $ 66,000 respectively.  

Speaking on their Retained players, Ranchi Rays said, “All the players retained by us were hugely instrumental towards our win the third edition of the Hockey India League. The players held back by us are a good mix of defenders as well as strikers.”

Defender Birendra Lakra also echoed the team’s decision to retain Ashley Jackson saying,”The presence of Ashley is very important to us as he knows the insidue-out of the team and we enjoy playing under his leadership."

As per the new rule of retaining players, all the franchises of Hockey India League were required to submit the retained players list to HIL board by July 20^th and so far the retained list of Ranchi Rays is out. 

The auctions of Hockey India League will be held in September where it will feature best players from top hockey playing nations. Australia will be most represented nation while there will be no representation from Netherlands as the players will be preparing for Rio Olympics.