Rajinder Singh Discusses Growth and Preparation for Upcoming Hockey Pro League Matches
Rajinder Singh's Journey in Indian Hockey
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 9: Indian hockey player Rajinder Singh recently opened up about his experiences with the national men's team, highlighting the significant support he has received from teammates like skipper Harmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh, and Hardik Singh.
Making his senior debut in October of last year during a two-match series against Germany, Rajinder has quickly established himself as a vital player for the Indian men's hockey team in just eight months.
Currently, he is training at the Senior National Camp at SAI Bengaluru in preparation for India's upcoming matches in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 in Europe.
Reflecting on the ongoing training camp, Rajinder stated, as reported by Hockey India, “Our preparations are progressing well. We are focusing on fitness, with some players honing their physical condition while others are enhancing their stick-and-ball skills. It’s a balanced approach. The previous camp was entirely fitness-oriented, but now we are incorporating various aspects.”
Earlier this year, India hosted the FIH Hockey Pro League in Bhubaneswar, where they secured fifteen points from five victories in eight matches, placing them third in the standings. Their losses came against Spain, Germany, and England, teams they managed to defeat in the reverse fixtures.
Discussing the team's performance in the tournament thus far and the challenges ahead, Rajinder remarked, “We faced several ups and downs in Bhubaneswar, but we gained valuable insights. We continue to review video footage of those matches as we gear up for the next leg. The upcoming opponents are formidable, and we must deliver our best performance. Our goal is to qualify for the 2026 World Cup through the Pro League.”
He added, “During the Bhubaneswar leg, we recognized our difficulties in converting circle entries into goals. Currently, we are concentrating on improving our gameplay within the circle to ensure we capitalize on field goals, rather than relying solely on penalty corners.”
At just 22 years old, Rajinder has emerged as a key player in the midfield. Hailing from Haryana, he progressed through the junior ranks, winning the Sultan of Johor Cup in 2022 and the Junior Asia Cup in 2023. He expressed gratitude for the mentorship he has received from senior players, stating, “I’ve gained a lot from my time with the senior squad. They provide excellent guidance, helping us young players manage mistakes and maintain focus.”
Rajinder acknowledged the influence of senior players Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, and captain Harmanpreet Singh on his rapid development over recent months.
“Hardik and Manpreet play alongside me in midfield, offering invaluable guidance. After each mistake, Hardik Paji advises me on what to do next. Harman Paji also frequently calls out to me to help with my positioning,” he shared.
This year, Rajinder has been in exceptional form, playing a crucial role for the Hyderabad Toofans in the Hockey India League 2024/25 season, where the team finished as runners-up. He has continued to build on this momentum, participating in seven of India's eight matches in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25.
India's European leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League is set for June, where they will face tough competitors including the Netherlands, Argentina, Australia, and Belgium.
When asked about his personal objectives for the upcoming tournament, Rajinder stated, “The teams we are about to encounter play a highly aggressive and attacking style of hockey. I aim to strengthen my defensive skills to prevent any player from bypassing me or breaking through my defense. They engage in a very physical game, so I will ensure I play shoulder-to-shoulder with them.”