Desperate Delhi to face Mumbai in Hockey India League

Ranchi Rays skipper Ashley Jackson celebrates their 3-2 win over Kalinga Lancers in their HIL-4 match in Bhubaneshwar on Monday.

The Hockey India League’s fourth season has been a topsy-turvy ride for former champions Delhi Waveriders. Simon Child’s team began on a rousing note with comprehensive wins, but have seen a sudden dip in performance as the league has progressed.

At a time when all six teams are in a fight for semi-finals berths, three consecutive losses haven’t done any good to Delhi’s confidence.

On Tuesday, they face the fast-improving Dabang Mumbai. After four losses in as many games, Mumbai bounced back strongly defeating big guns Ranchi Rays and Uttar Pradesh Wizards and have displayed a compact game so far.

World goalkeeper of 2015 David Harte is their final line of defence and the team draw confidence from the likes of Matthew Swann of Australia, German striker Florian Fuchs and drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh. The team, coached by former Australia Olympic star Jay Stacy, are known to change tactics at will and look to make the most of their opponents’ mistakes.

Mumbai are currently languishing at the bottom of the table, but the hosts cannot afford to take them lightly.

Delhi, on the other hand, have a strong team on paper but have struggled to get their combination going in this edition. The midfield wears a thin look after the departure of India skipper Sardar Singh to Punjab, while the strikers too haven’t done a lot.

The onus will be on the likes of India fowards Mandeep Singh, Talwinder Singh and Yuvraj Walmiki, besides skipper Child himself, while the backline of Rupinderpal Singh and Surender Kumar will also have to come good.

Delhi are currently fifth and will have to win their next few home matches — they clash with defending champions Ranchi on Thursday — if they are to make it to the next round.

Ranchi defeat Kalinga In Bhubaneshwar, Ranchi Rays came from behind to defeat Kalinga Lancers 3-2 at the Kalinga Stadium. The win took Ranchi to the top of the table with 27 points.

Dharamvir Singh put Kalinga ahead in the ninth minute with a field goal, while Ranchi’s response came from Ashley Jackson (10th, PC) and Mohammad Amir Khan (49th, field goal).