Harjeet Singh Seeks Redemption in HIL After Years Away from Senior Indian Hockey

Images of Harjeet Singh, curled up with the Junior World Cup trophy after India's 2016 victory, once captured the nation's imagination. Nearly ten years later, Harjeet is still seeking clarity on his exclusion

from the senior team and hopes for another opportunity.

Despite leading the junior team to an unbeaten win in Lucknow, his sudden absence from the national scene surprised both fans and himself.

Harjeet last played for India in 2018 against New Zealand. He was part of the senior squad that clinched silver at the 2016 Champions Trophy in London and gold at the 2015 Junior Asia Cup. However, his international career abruptly ended.

"Every junior player dreams of joining the senior team and representing the country at the Olympics. I was with the senior team, yet suddenly I was out without any explanation. Even today, I don't understand why," Harjeet, who plays for JSW Soorma in the HIL, told Bhasha.

Harjeet's Journey and Challenges

The midfielder's success story inspired a Punjabi film titled "Harjeeta," but like cricket's Unmukt Chand, his transition to senior levels stalled. Harjeet reflects on his peers' success, saying, "Many of the players I played alongside like Harmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Krishan Pathak are doing very well today. Somewhere, there is regret that I could not do that. " Despite having over 50 international caps, he acknowledges the challenge of returning to national prominence.

Harjeet believes that performing well in the Hockey India League (HIL) could bolster his case for national selection. "A good performance in the HIL can strengthen any player's case for national selection. I want to show that the decision to drop me was wrong. Even today, the question haunts me, what mistake did I make that deserved such a harsh punishment?" he asked.

Finding Solace in Domestic Leagues

Despite being away from international hockey, Harjeet continued playing departmental hockey for Bharat Petroleum and participated in leagues abroad. He featured for HGC in the Dutch League and represented Indian Gymkhana in the UK. "It was the toughest phase of my life when I was out of the Indian team. Everyone asked the same question that when will you play for India again? It took a long time to come out of it but I tried to stay positive. I watched sports biopics for motivation," recalls Harjeet.

His current HIL team is led by Harmanpreet Singh, his former junior teammate and now India's captain. Harjeet feels a renewed sense of belonging with teammates like Akashdeep Singh and Gurjant Singh. "I am a 'Soorma' warrior at heart. The team environment is excellent. There is no divide between juniors and seniors. Having teammates like Harmanpreet, Akashdeep, Gurjant and Vivek Sagar Prasad makes it special," said Harjeet.

Early Beginnings and Aspirations

Harjeet's hockey journey began modestly; he was drawn to the sport for a kit and good meals. He joined Surjit Hockey Academy in Jalandhar in 2007 and entered the Indian camp four years later. Now with HIL as his platform and redemption as his aim, Harjeet fights not for fame but for answers and respect he feels he never lost.

With inputs from PTI