James mazarello

Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers: The Lucknow-based franchise of the Hockey India League, UP Rudras, concluded their campaign with a victory over Tamil Nadu Dragons but narrowly missed out on qualifying for the semifinals, finishing just one point shy of the top 4. Nevertheless, the season held special significance for the franchise in several ways. Over the course of 10 games, UP Rudras won five, lost four and played 1 draw.

The UP Rudras won the Fair Play Award, for their commitment to sportsmanship and discipline throughout the tournament. Thanks to James Mazarello’s excellent reflex and crucial saves, the team finished their tournament conceding the least number of goals (22) throughout the long tournament. James' stand-out performances proved to be instrumental for UP Rudras’ campaign, keeping the opposition on their feet.

Reflecting on the season, team captain Hardik Singh expressed pride in the performance of his squad. The team was well-balanced, featuring senior players like Kane Russell, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay and Tanguy Cosyns, alongside promising young talents such as Talem Priyobarta, Sudeep Chirmako and James Mazarello to name a few. Known for their fearless style of play, the team displayed remarkable determination and resilience despite the setback.