Kent hockey star Ashley Jackson has been named as the captain of the new Ranchi franchise, Ranchi Rays, co-owned by Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the third edition of the Hero Hockey India League.

Jackson was a member of the England squad that won a bronze medal at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and has spent the past month warming up for the tournement with a stint at Kent ice hockey side, the Invicta Dynamos.

“Going by his experience and present performance, we feel that Ashley Jackson is the right choice for the captain. Under his able leadership, the team will do well and he will make the Ranchi fans proud by putting up a terrific show,” Dhoni said about Jackson’s appointment.

“I hope Harendra Singh, as a coach, will nurture the players and will bring the best of them. You need a right coach who knows the strengths of his players and capitalize on it,” he added.

After being appointed as the skipper, Jackson said: “It’s a great feeling to be named captain of Ranchi Rays. I will try my best to lead from the front and alongside some of the best talents in the world.”

Ranchi Rays has replaced now defunct Ranchi Rhinos in the league and is being co-owned jointly by Sahara India Pariwar and Dhoni.