Hockey India League 2015 : Kalinga Lancers beat Ranchi Rays

Kalinga Lancers got off to a cracking start in the third Hockey India League 2015 as they thrashed Ranchi Rays 6-3 in their first match at Bhubaneswar Kalinga Stadium on Thursday.

Lancers, playing as they were on their home turf, had a huge psychological advantage from a reshuffled team and the boisterous support of the home crowd.

The Kalinga Lancers looked a completely different unit this year as they controlled the match throughout the 60 minutes. They played better hockey and outplayed the Ranchi side in all departments.

The third edition of the Hockey India League trophy was inaugurated by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik amidst a spectacular laser show, high decibel DJ music, power packed dance performances by celebrities and full throated cheers from the ecstatic crowd at the Kalinga Stadium.