After Junior World Cup High, Players Shift Focus To Hockey India League With Hopes Of Securing Senior Team Spots

Last Updated:December 17, 2025, 17:11 IST

India clinched bronze at the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup, with Dilraj Singh, Anmol Ekka, and Arshdeep Singh now aiming to impress in the Hockey India League.

Anmol Ekka, Dilraj Singh and Arshdeep Singh highlight importance of Hockey India League

Following the triumph at the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup, where the Indian team clinched a bronze medal with a valiant comeback against Argentina, winning 4-2, India Colts stars are eager to impress in the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL).

The Women’s HIL is set to begin in Ranchi on 28th December, followed by the Men’s HIL in Chennai on 3rd January.

Junior stars are well aware of the significance of the League, which will be closely monitored by Chief Coach Craig Fulton, who has been tracking the progress of some players. Dilraj Singh, who scored five goals in the tournament, emphasised the importance of performing well in the HIL to secure a spot in the senior team. He said, “Ending the Junior World Cup campaign with a medal around our neck surely feels fantastic, but to do well in the Hockey India League is the next big step in making the cut for the senior team. We are aware, we will be watched closely and doing well in the HIL where we will be on the same platform as some of the senior players from across nations will be important."

Dilraj will be playing for SG Pipers this season. His teammate, Anmol Ekka, who was awarded player of the match for his remarkable goals in the bronze medal match, also stressed the need to deliver an improved performance in January. “I am looking forward to my sting with the Ranchi Royals this season where I will be playing alongside Loick Luypeart and Tom Boon who are both PC experts and I am really looking forward to learning from them. I am pretty sure this experience will put me in good stead to push for a place in the senior core group," explained Ekka.

Arshdeep Singh, who was instrumental in the Indian forward line with fine assists and winning PCs, apart from scoring a hat-trick in the round-robin stage, will be playing for Hyderabad Toofans. “I am actually very excited and eagerly awaiting the Hockey India League season. We have seen how this league has helped players in the past to make the senior squad. One of the biggest names in Indian hockey to have benefited from HIL is Amit Rohidas whose stint with Kalinga Lancers gave him a fresh lease of life in hockey back in 2017. There was no looking back for him ever since and somehow this story is very popular among our junior team players.

We understand the significance of the league and next year is crucial for us, as we will be pushing for a place in the senior squad. If we can’t impress now, then we know it’s a long road to the senior team where we will need to perform in the nationals. Since Chief Coach (Craig) has followed us closely in the camps when we have played against the senior side for practice matches and he will now be watching us during HIL, doing well to secure our future will certainly be on our minds," Arshdeep added.

All junior stars have been drafted into the six HIL franchises vying for top honours this season. The opening match between Tamil Nadu Dragons and Hyderabad Toofans will take place in Chennai at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium.

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