Dabur Mumbai Magicians play host to Uttar Pradesh Wizards in a Hero Hockey India League 2014 tie at the Mahindra stadium. Australian forward Glenn Turner is named Mumbai skipper for Wednesday’s night game. India spearhead Prabhjot Singh will sit out in view of a three-month ban in force following a fracas at the Surjit Singh Hockey Tournament in 2013.
“I would love to play, but cannot due to the ban. This venue is lucky for me and remember delighting fans with goals here, but this time I will have to watch from the sidelines,” said the one-time India captain.
Mumbai Magicians have began on a losing note, going down 3-5 to Punjab Warriors in the first away tie in HIL second season. Goalkeeper P. Sreejesh reasoned that first-match blues was the reason for defensive mistakes. Olympian M.K. Kaushik, team coach appointed in place of Ric Charlesworth, said: “It is a new team and new set-up, but getting players to work together is priority. We will try to avoid last season’s lapses.”
Uttar Pradesh Wizards skipper, V. Raghunath, said: “We would be playing with a positive mindset, following our win against Ranchi Rhinos. We will stick to our strength and try to rectify mistakes made in our first game. It is a new day and a new match for us.” The Wizards stunned the defending champion Ranchi 3-2 in an away game, with drag flicker Raghunath on target one time.
Kaushik, a member of the national coaching panel as assistant to head coach Terry Walsh, talked about hockey experience in Mumbai with Tata SC. “Whatever I am today is because of Mumbai and Tata Sports Club. I went on to represent India because of my performances here.”
