Simranjeet Singh Aims for National Team Return Through HIL
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New Delhi, Dec 5 (NationPress) Indian hockey team midfielder Simranjeet Singh is determined to make his way back into the national squad through the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL), where he will represent UP Rudras.
The 27-year-old, who played a pivotal role in India's historic bronze medal win at the Tokyo Olympics, has been absent from the national setup since last year but remains committed to regaining his place.
"In the Tokyo Olympics, we achieved a bronze medal after 42 years, and in Paris, we repeated that success, securing another bronze medal. I see it as a cycle—players come and go. I recognize my shortcomings and the series of injuries that kept me out of the Olympics. Coaches tend to think in the long term, which is why they chose younger players who performed well. I aim to give my all in the HIL and concentrate on one game at a time," Simranjeet shared with IANS on Thursday.
"My main focus is on my game, as I've been outside the Indian squad for the past year. I haven't had the chance to play in international matches, so I need to regain my rhythm and improve with each game. The anxiety and pressure are the sweet aspects of my career. I do feel nervous before any tournament, but once I step onto the field, I forget everything," he added.
The midfielder reflected on the moment he was dropped from the team and the sadness he experienced before coming to terms with it.
"Initially, I felt disheartened when I was dropped from the Indian team, but I soon realized that it's a cycle that will continue. I'm content with my performances in the matches I have played. If you focus solely on short-term goals, it can be demoralizing, but when you think about long-term growth and the progress of Indian hockey, these setbacks become insignificant," he stated.
"I will give my best effort, and the rest will depend on the selection committee and coaches," Simranjeet added.
Regarding the composition of the UP Rudras squad, he expressed his admiration for the blend of seasoned and novice players.
"Our team is well-balanced, combining young talent and experienced players. Hardik, our Indian team vice-captain, will lead UP Rudras, and we have several experienced foreign players. We also have young talents like Manmeet Singh from the team that recently won the Men's Junior Asia Cup," he said.
"Playing alongside Harmanpreet Singh and Hardik Singh has been a prestigious experience since we have been teammates since our junior days. The atmosphere within Indian hockey is very encouraging, as senior players guide juniors effectively," he added while highlighting his connection with current Indian captains.
Simranjeet shared his past experiences in the HIL from 2015 to 2017, which provided him with invaluable insights.
"I consider myself fortunate to have participated in the HIL from 2015 to 2017. During that time, I learned a great deal and shared the dressing room with players like Jamie Dwyer. We applied that knowledge on the field, which helped elevate Indian hockey. The HIL broke down barriers for Indian players interacting with foreign players. If our team is currently competing well against Australia, the HIL significantly contributed to that. Young players gain a vital platform to showcase their talents, especially since our domestic tournaments lack sufficient broadcasting opportunities," he mentioned.
"I'm thrilled to participate in the HIL, as it presents a remarkable opportunity to learn rapidly from international players. It is an excellent initiative from Hockey India and will contribute to revitalizing the sport in the country.
"For women's hockey, introducing a women's HIL is crucial, as there are limited domestic tournaments. Those in training camps have opportunities, but others do not. Now, they will also have the chance to perform and display their skills," the midfielder commented on the inaugural season of Women's HIL.
