Dhoni wishes his hockey team ahead of league

Bhubaneswar, Jan 21 (IANS) India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni may well be playing the tri-series Down Under, but he hasn’t forgotten to wish his team - Ranchi Rays - ahead of the Hockey India League (HIL), which begins here Thursday.

Rays' captain and penalty corner specialist Ashley Jackson Wednesday said that though he hasn’t met Rays' co-owner Dhoni in person, he and his team have been getting messages from the wicketkeeper-batsman, who hails from the Jharkhand capital.

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“I have not met him in person but we have got his messages, wishing us the best ahead of the tournament. It will be an honour to meet him some day,” said the England midfielder, who also follows cricket.

“It is an honour to have him as our co-owner.” 

The third edition of HIL commences Thursday with home team Kalinga Lancers taking on debutants Ranchi Rays at the Kalinga Stadium in this Odisha capital city.