Post the Hockey India League (HIL) Players Closed Bid 2014, where the selection of the players for the six different franchise was set in stone, Hockey India (HI) on Tuesday announced the match schedule for the third edition of the Hero Hockey India League. The league is a month-long thrilling event which is scheduled to take place from 22nd January to 22nd February 2015 featuring six franchisee-based city teams consisting of star players from India and the rest of the world.
The rousing action is set to begin on 22nd January in Bhubaneswar where Kalinga Lancers will be seen playing the opening match against Ranchi Rays. Dabang Mumbai will be seen making their tournament debut against Jaypee Punjab Warriors on Friday, 23rd January in Mumbai, post which Uttar Pradesh Wizards will take on the defending champions Delhi Waveriders on the same day in Lucknow.
Compiling a fresh team for the tournament with big names, which includes star players like Tom Boon of Belgium and Australia’s Matthew Swann, being the highest and the second highest paid players of the League respectively, Mumbai is expected to be one of the strongest contenders in the tournament.