Hockey India League 2024/25: Kalinga Lancers name Aran Zalewski as captain

Hockey India League 2024/25: Kalinga Lancers name Aran Zalewski as captain

Kalinga Lancers has announced Australian Aran Zalewski as its captain for the upcoming season of the Hockey India League. The former co-captain of the Kookaburras played a pivotal role in the Australian hockey team’s success in recent years and will lead the Lancers in their first match against UP Rudras on December 30.

Apart from Zalewski, the Lancers showcase an impressive combination of seasoned players like Thierry Brinkman and Alexander Hendrickx, alongside rising Indian talents such as Krishan Pathak, Rosan Kujur, and Sanjay. The team will be coached by German Valentin Altenburg.

Announcing its captain Kalinga Lancers’s coach Altenburg said, “With a squad packed with superstars and natural leaders, selecting a captain is a challenge any coach would love to have. Aran’s exceptional mastery of the game speaks for itself, and his leadership since becoming co-captain of the Australian team in 2018 has been nothing short of inspiring.”

“While our squad boasts a wealth of experience and incredible potential, we believe Aran is the perfect fit to lead this talented group as we look to build on Odisha’s proud legacy in hockey and are focused on bringing home the title,” he added.

Aran expressed his delight in taking up the role of Kalinga Lancers captain and said, “I’m truly grateful for the opportunity the team has given me. We have an incredible mix of talent, and it’s an honour to share the dressing room with players like Thierry, Krishan, Sanjay, and the younger boys.”