HIL: A Fresh Lease of Life for Ex-Internationals Talwinder Singh and Affan Yousuf
The revived 6th Hockey India League is seen as a massive platform for players at different stages of their playing careers be it current Indian team players, fringe players, former internationals, etc. It ‘means a lot for those players, who are out of the national side’ for a long time and earnestly aspire to mount a comeback to the national fold.
Read All You Want to Know About Revived Hockey India League
Former Indian forward Talwinder Singh is super-excited at the prospect of featuring in the resuscitated Hockey India League for Hyderabad Toofans. “I can’t tell you how excited I’m to play in the HIL as I have been eagerly waiting for the league to restart. I had registered my name in the Rs 5 lakhs base price category as my sole focus was to get an opportunity to play in the HIL. I’m really grateful to Hyderabad Toofans for picking me in their side,” says a gleeful Talwinder, who had featured for the Delhi Waveriders in the last edition of the HIL.
Read All You Want to Know About Revived Hockey India League
The 30-year-old Indian Oil forward mainstay, who had made his senior international debut against China at the 2013 Asian Champions Trophy at Kakamigahara, and had last represented India at the 2018 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup at Ipoh, revealed how he registered his name in the Rs 5 lakhs base price category. “Some of my friends asked me why I’m not registering in the Rs 10 lakhs base price category but I was keen to be part of the league and was only hoping that some franchise would pick me up,” says Talwinder, who was bought by Hyderabad Toofans for Rs 14.5 lakhs.
The nimble-footed former Indian striker would look to forge a robust collaboration alongside the likes of Netherlands’ Terrence Pieters, Australia’s Timothy Daniel and Shilanand Lakra. He is happy to see one of his former Delhi Waveriders team members in the Hyderabad Toofans side. “Former Delhi Waveriders goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya is also in the Hyderabad Toofans side and it would be nice to play together again,” he says.
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Affan Yousuf is another former Indian forward, who was bought by Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers for Rs 11.5 lakhs, would look to leverage the HIL stage to make a strong case for a return to the national side. “I’m elated to picked by the Kolkata franchise. I made my senior India debut very early in my career but could never cement my side. At 29, I think I’m good enough to mark a national comeback. Hopefully I would make the most of the HIL opportunity,” says the Bhopal lad, who had turned out for Jaypee Punjab Warriors and Dabang Mumbai in the previous editions of the HIL.
Read Well Played Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers in the HIL Auctions!
The 29-year-old Indian Oil striker had made senior international at the 2014 Hockey World League Final Round against England at New Delhi and had made his last India appearance during the 2016 Two Test Series in Australia, where he interestingly scored twice in India’s 3-2 win over Australia in the first Test.
