As the heart of England’s national hockey team, Ashley Jackson knows what it means to perform under pressure. On Sunday, as he had for the last one month, the midfielder did it again, guiding Ranchi Rays to the Hero Hockey India League title in its maiden season.
On Saturday, after his team managed to edge ahead after a marathon shoot-out in the semifinals, Jackson wasn’t interested in saying much. On Sunday, the 27-year-old was more than willing to share his excitement. “Yeah, the title has wiped out all tiredness, everything. We were tired after the semifinal and we showed a lot of character (in the final) against a very good side. It is a great feeling to do it with this team,” he said.
Jackson, who was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, had the dual responsibility this year of mentoring a young team, and single-handedly controlling the midfield in the absence of German captain Moritz Fuerste. That he ended up as the top scorer of the tournament as well was proof of how much he had impacted the side’s fortunes.
“I am lucky to have a player like Ashley in my team. He gives a whole new definition to words like discipline, fitness and commitment. He proved why he is regarded so highly in International hockey,” a proud coach, Harendra Singh, said about his captain.
Asked about his team’s USP, Harendra said it was the absence of a star. “We have players who are all amazing. Ashley, Fergus Kavanagh, Barry Middleton, Manpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra, every one is a potential match-winner but no one is above the team. Kavanagh may not have won any individual award but he was the rock of our defence and enjoys everyone’s respect for stepping up every time the team needed him.
“I know I have often been criticised for saying this, even with the national team, but I maintain that a team with stars who are considered more special than others will always struggle. It is natural when one player gets more attention in a team game. I will never seek attention for myself and I won’t let any player think himself more equal than others,” Harendra said.To be honest, the Ranchi players did not have to start from scratch. Having won the inaugural title in 2013, as Rhinos, the ownership changed this year. Unlike the Mumbai franchise, where the new owners disbanded and put together a new team, Sahara and M.S. Dhoni entrusted Harendra with handling the team, not meddling in its composition.
“It was a big advantage. We have known each other well over three years and enjoy playing together. The continuity ensured we did not have to re-plan everything,” Jackson admitted. Both he and Harendra hoped they would able to retain at least the core of the side, if not most of it, next year when the initial three-year contracts would be over and fresh auctions conducted for all players.
