Eye on the ball: Hardik has a task at hand as the skipper of the Hockey India Governing Council outfit.
| Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO: K. MURALI KUMAR
Hardik Singh, captain of the Hockey India Governing Council team in the Hockey India League (HIL) and one of the country’s finest midfielders, has placed the onus on the Indian youngsters if his side is to challenge for the crown.
“If our juniors are going to play 70 to 80% in every match, we have a really good chance of winning the tournament. Yes, we want to play the final, show everyone what Hockey India has done for us, and repay that trust by winning the title,” Hardik told The Hindu on Saturday.
The 27-year-old two-time Olympic bronze medallist said his main responsibility as the leader would be to make the up-and-coming players feel comfortable, while ensuring senior and overseas players adapt.
“It’s all about how we make our juniors comfortable tactically. Senior players can adjust more easily. It’s similar to the senior national team, where experienced players adapt rather than asking juniors to change,” he explained.
Hardik said he would apply lessons learnt under Dutch coach Paul van Ass, who earlier coached UP Rudras before the franchise was rebranded as Hockey India Governing Council.
“Paul mostly spoke about mindset. He always said, ‘don’t worry about the past or turnovers. Focus on the next action — that’s the most important [part],’” he said.
Hardik confirmed that German striker Thies Prinz has been ruled out of the tournament but backed Ireland’s Daragh Walsh as his replacement.
“Walsh is one of the best attacking midfielders in the Ireland team and has played all over the world,” he said.
Hardik insisted this was the best chance for the Indian team to win the upcoming World Cup (Aug. 2026).
“The arrival of Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh and Rajinder Singh has done a world of good for India. They are all experienced and dangerous [players] now,” he said.
Published – December 27, 2025 07:14 pm IST
