HIL: Rupinder Pal Singh to lead the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers - Preview, Squad

The Hockey India League is all set to return to screens following a seven-year-long hiatus. The premier franchise-based competition is slated to commence with the men's event on December 28 before the inaugural women's event of the league is held on January 12.

While a total of eight teams will compete in the men's league, the women's competition will see four teams in action.

The teams were formed following an intense three-day auction in October with team owners splurging lakhs of rupees to get themselves battle-ready.

With the renewed HIL just days away, we take a look at how the Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers stacks up ahead of the season:

Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers Squad

Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers, owned by Shrachi Sports, is amongst a few franchises that have both the men's and women's teams for the coming season of the Hockey India league.

Their men's team, led by veteran Indian drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh as their captain, has many experienced Indian players in the forward line like Abhishek Nain and Sukhjeet Singh.

In addition, the team has a solid presence of foreign superstars like defender Gauthier Boccard and explosive Belgian forwards Florent Van Aubel and Sébastien Dockier.

However, after the withdrawal of the Dutch keeper Pirmin Blaak, their goalkeeping department is looking slightly weaker and all the responsibilities will majorly come on the shoulders of young keeper Ali Khan.

They will start their Men's HIL campaign with the first match against Hyderabad Toofans on 29th December, sighting for a winning start in the season.

Goalkeepers: Atul Chahal, Ali Khan, Jamie Carr

Defenders: Jugraj Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Jasjit Singh Kular, Beltz Hayden, Gauthier Boccard

Midfielders: Jaskaran Singh, Affan Yousef, Pradhan Chandhura, Pardeep Mor, Atul Deep, Yogesh Singh, Thounaojam Luwang, Sean Findlay, Tim Cross

Forwards: Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Gursewak Singh, Pardeep Singh Sandhu, Sam Lane, Florent Van Aubel, Sébastien Dockier

Strength

Experienced Forward Line: Rahr Bengal Tigers's biggest strength is their forward line which has a very good mix of experienced Indian strikers like Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh and foreign players Like Florent Van Aubel.

The Belgian forward Florent Van Aubel will be the key player for the side as he has rich experience in the international circuit, having played in 301 games for Belgium, scoring 119 goals.

His speed, technical skills, and ability to score from anywhere in the circle earned him the nickname ‘The Magician’. He will get good support from quick Indian forward Abhishek and Sjukhjeet Singh

Strong Defensive Unit: They also have a very powerful defensive unit having their captain and star dragflicker Rupinder Pal Singh, supported by Indian national team player Jugraj Singh.

Meanwhile, the former Olympic Champion Gauthier Boccard of Belgium is also there to command the team's defense, he has a very rich experience of more than 200 matches for his country.

Weakness

Back-up drag-flicker: Rahr Bengal Tigers also lacks a bit in the drag-flicking department as there are not many known faces who can support Rupinder Pal Singh in this department.

However, Gauthier Boccard of Belgium also has a few international drag-flick goals whereas Jasjit Singh Kular can also try his hands in this department as he played that role in the past for the Indian team.

Less experienced Midfield: Rahr Bengal Tigers will have to work on their midfield game as there are not many experienced names in their midfield which might rouble the side during counter-play.

This will also allow the young players to showcase their talent like Thounaojam Luwang, who impressed a lot at the junior competition in the past years and now returning after a long injury layoff.

Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers Schedule

29 December - Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers Vs Hyderabad Toofans - 6:00 PM

1 January - Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers Vs Team Gonasika - 8:15 PM

4 January - Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers Vs Delhi SG Pipers - 6:00 PM

7 January - Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers Vs Vedanta Kalinga Lancers - 8:15 PM

10 January - Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers Vs Tamil Nadu Dragons - 8:15 PM

15 January - Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers Vs UP Rudras - 8:15 PM

17 January - Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers Vs Soorma Hockey Club - 8:15 PM

20 January - Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers Vs Soorma Hockey Club - 8:15 PM

24 January - Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers Vs Vedanta Kalinga Lancers - 8:15 PM

27 January - Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers Vs Delhi SG Pipers - 6:00 PM