New Delhi [India], September 13 (ANI): Delhi SG Pipers on Saturday unveiled a formidable checklist of 17 retained gamers forward of the Hockey India League (HIL) 2025 auctions, showcasing a balanced mixture of Indian stars in addition to worldwide stalwarts.
The retained roster underlines the franchise’s dedication to nurturing home expertise whereas strengthening world pedigree throughout all positions. The Delhi SG Pipers teaching workers labored carefully with the Director of Hockey, Padma Bhushan Sreejesh PR, to finalise the checklist of retained gamers, as per a press launch from Delhi SG Pipers.
The Pipers have additionally accomplished the acquisition of the Welsh International Jacob Draper, who has been traded in from Team Gonasika after showing in all 10 video games final season.
The full checklist of retained gamers is given beneath:
-Tomas Santiago, Goalkeeper, Argentina-Pawan, Goalkeeper, India-Jarmanpreet Singh, Defender, India-Varun Kumar, Defender, India-Rohit, Defender, India-Manjeet, Defender, India-Gareth Furlong, Defender, Wales-Shamsher Singh, Midfielder, India-Jacob Draper, Midfielder, Wales (Trade)-Rajkumar Pal, Midfielder, India-Ankit Pal, Midfielder, India-Kingson Singh, Midfielder, India-Ky Willott, Midfielder, Australia-Tomas Domene, Forward, Argentina-Aditya Lalage, Forward, India-Sourabh Anand Khushwaha, Forward, India-Dilraj Singh, Forward, India
The retained gamers delivered memorable moments for followers final season in addition to on the worldwide stage. Two-time Olympic medallist Shamsher Singh returns as an emblem of resilience and perception. Jarmanpreet Singh will deliver solidity to the defence, contemporary from enjoying a significant position in India’s Asia Cup 2025 triumph. Varun Kumar, a bronze medallist on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, will additional strengthen the backline along with his tempo and aggressive tackling. Rajkumar Pal provides a confirmed capability to remain calm underneath pressure–a trait he showcased on a number of events, together with penalty shootout objectives in opposition to Team Gonasika final season and in opposition to Great Britain on the final Olympics. Argentine goalkeeper Tomas Santiago provides additional pedigree between the posts.
Speaking on the squad’s steadiness after the retention, Padma Bhushan Sreejesh PR, Director of Hockey at SG Pipers, said, ‘Retaining the core males’s crew was essential. Last season, lacking six key gamers disrupted our rhythm. This time, the retained squad is aware of one another effectively and brings the starvation and angle wanted for a powerful season. With Olympic medallists like Shamsher, Jarman, Rajkumar, and Varun alongside hungry children, we’ve a balanced mixture of expertise and ambition. The seniors will lead by instance, the juniors are desirous to show themselves, and we are going to full the squad thoughtfully with the experience of our coaches.’
The Pipers will even profit from the management of newly appointed males’s crew Head Coach Tim Oudenaller. Oudenaller is broadly considered one among Europe’s brightest teaching minds and boasts a confirmed observe file of constructing profitable squads within the Dutch Hoofdklasse and the Euro Hockey League. Working in tandem with Sreejesh, an icon of Indian Hockey, the teaching and management group will present each strategic imaginative and prescient and mentorship because the franchise prepares for the upcoming season.
Looking ahead to teaching the crew, Head Coach Tim Oudenaller mentioned, ‘The gamers we’ve retained will deliver steadiness, depth, and ambition qualities that may take us far this season. Together with the administration, I really consider we’ve the muse to problem for the title.’
Having set the tone with their early strikes, the Pipers now head into the HIL Auction with readability on what it can take to spherical off the squad.
In the earlier season earlier, Delhi SG Pipers completed on the backside spot, with only one win in 10 matches, six losses and three attracts, a complete of 5 factors. (ANI)