Hockey: With PR Sreejesh as head coach, Rohit-led India with strong core aim for the stars at Junior World Cup

While the Junior World Cup is typically the first tryst with a high level of hockey for young players, the current Indian squad – to be led by Rohit – has already been exposed to one season of the Hockey India League (HIL) alongside top internationals.

India's junior hockey team coach PR Sreejesh talks to the team ahead of their opening match of the FIH Junior Men's World Cup against Chile, at Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. (Photo: Hockey India)

The official hashtag for the Junior World Cup is “Rising Stars”. It’s plastered prominently across the numerous hoardings in Chennai, along with the tournament mascot Kangeyan – named after Kangeyam Kaalai, a native breed of bull in the state. And India will be coached by one of the biggest stars the game has ever produced in the country, the bullish PR Sreejesh, tasked with grooming the NextGen almost immediately after he called time on his international career last year at the Paris Olympics with a second bronze medal around his neck. Given Sreejesh’s stature and that the tournament is back in India, there has been an understandable buzz around this Indian junior team as they look to return to the podium for the first time since Harmanpreet Singh’s famous Class of 2016.

While the Junior World Cup is typically the first tryst with a high level of hockey for young players, the current Indian squad – to be led by Rohit – has already been exposed to one season of the Hockey India League (HIL) alongside top internationals, under the bright stadium lights in front of thousands of fans.
Buzz of Bikramjit

Between the posts, Princedeep Singh and Bikramjit Singh would share time. While the former was an understudy to the legendary David Harte with TN Dragons, it is Bikramjit who created a buzz at HIL with Hyderabad Toofans, having a storming finish to the season with the finalists and earning the Goalkeeper of the Tournament honours. “He was recognised because of the saves he made against Harmanpreet Singh (against Soorma HC),” says Siddharth Pandey, Toofans’ Team Director and a FIH Level 3 coach who has scouted India’s domestic circuit extensively. “He got the senior camp call-up because Harman was so impressed that he called Hockey India that very evening and said, ‘Listen, I have to have this guy in the camp.’ He is an unconventional goalkeeper, can make saves you’d not expect him to. I think that’s what makes him stand out. Prince is solid and is in the mould of Sreejesh, whereas Bikram is a bit like Adrian de Souza. A maverick kind,” Pandey tells The Indian Express.

In defence, all eyes will be on captain Rohit and Amir Ali, two players coming into the tournament with experience of being part of the 2023 edition too. Rohit – alongside Sharda Nand Tiwari – will shoulder responsibilities at both ends of the pitch with his drag flicking key to India’s goalscoring, especially after the late setback India suffered due to the injury to Araijeet Singh Hundal. But Amir – son of a roadside motorcycle mechanic from Lucknow who has already made his senior debut – is equally as important because of the role he plays. “The left corner defender is a specialist position; many teams get destroyed down their left because they don’t have a good player at that position. Sumit (Walmiki) is the best in India at that, Amir is not far behind him. You can play the ball to Amit under pressure, and he’ll not lose it. Rohit and Amir will hold this team together,” Pandey explains.
Midfield loophole.

India’s captain Rohit (L) and chief coach PR Sreejesh address a press conference ahead of their opening match of the FIH Junior Mens World Cup against Chile, at Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (PTI Photo)

While all great Indian teams of note in the recent past have had a strong midfield presence, this current junior squad doesn’t quite boast a standout performer. Ankit Pal is a capable ball-carrier, but in terms of sheer talent, the one to watch out for is Odisha’s Roshan Kujur. “He has trained with Aran Zalewski at the HIL with Kalinga Lancers. He’s very much a Zalewski mould player, so he couldn’t have hoped for a better education than that,” Pandey said.

Often it’s the forwards who attract eyeballs, and Sreejesh’s squad is blessed with three exciting talents: Gurjot Singh, Arshdeep Singh and Dilraj Singh. Pandey picked Gurjot as the potential standout goalscorer for India. “While Arshdeep has great chance-creation skills – he can win you a PC in sleep – the pacy Gurjot has strong finishing abilities which are going to be critical in the absence of Hundal,” adds Pandey.

Sreejesh has already stated that he wants his wards to be thinking about LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032, and this World Cup is a mere stepping stone. But given the amount of work that has gone on behind the scenes to get this squad tournament-ready, there are expectations that this talented bunch can aim for the stars.

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