Kalinga lacers

Hockey India League: India and Kalinga Lancers defender Sanjay Rana is excited to play for the defending champions in the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25 season, commencing on December 28.

Sanjay, who has risen through the ranks of the junior team, has become a consistent feature in the Indian men's hockey team in the recent years. The 2024 has been an instrumental year for the defender as he went on to win the highest accolade of his career - the bronze medal in the Paris Olympics - along with the title finish at the Asian Champions Trophy in China. He was also part of the team that won the gold medal in the Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou, China.

The 23-year-old, who first tasted success with a silver medal in the Youth Olympic Games 2018, has established himself as a reckoning force among India's strong defence line-up consisting of captain Harmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas and Jarmanpreet Singh.