Hardik Singh broke into the nationwide scene as a gifted midfielder in 2018 on the Asian Men’s Champions Trophy as India went on to win the match. Five years later, he’s received an Olympic bronze medal, a Commonwealth Games silver medal and been a two-time Asian Champions Trophy winner – the newest of which got here in August this yr.
Hockey runs in his blood. His grandfather is a former hockey coach and father a former worldwide participant. His aunt Rajbir Kaur is a legendary determine in Indian ladies’s hockey historical past whereas his uncle Gurmail Singh is an Olympic gold medallist.
During this profession to date, Hardik has additionally completed third within the Asian Champions Trophy however in his personal phrases, the striker-turned-defensive midfielder isn’t somebody who’s proud of a silver or a bronze.
The 25-year-old desires to be a part of gold-winning groups and his largest aim is to win an Olympic gold.
Currently, in China the place he’s pursuing Asiad glory, Hardik spoke to News18 Sports in an unique chat forward of his departure:-
Excerpts
You come from a household of hockey stars. Were you at all times inclined in the direction of taking part in hockey?
In my household, everyone performed hockey – grandfather, father, uncle, aunt. So I used to be fairly impressed by them, you’ll be able to say my dad impressed me (to take up hockey). When I began taking part in hockey, everyone used to say how good my dad was. So, this was additionally in my thoughts that I fulfil his dream of taking part in within the Indian group in the future. Then my aunt Rajbir Kaur was the captain of the ladies’s group for thus a few years. They are the the reason why I took up hockey.
The function of a midfielder is sort of essential and comes with an enormous duty. What prompted you to select this place?
During my academy days, I used to play as a striker. When I began taking part in on the junior stage beneath coach Harendra Singh, he suggested me to play defensive midfielder (DMF). You can say he modified my place. He informed me there are many strikers within the junior group and we’d like a DMF so that you strive for it. After that, I performed within the junior (in that place). Then there was a tour of Australia with the A group there additionally I performed as DMF with Harjeet Singh (captain of Indian junior group that received 2016 World Cup). The similar was the case in U-23. So yeah, my journey as a DMF started with the junior circuit.
Did you discover the change to DMF difficult?
I began taking part in for India within the Asian Champions Trophy (2018) and there I performed as DMF. At first, I didn’t discover it arduous or took it as a problem. But just a few tournaments after that got here as a actuality verify. When you play in opposition to Australia and Germany, you study loads – they’ve world-class DMFs. Plus there are lots of gamers in our group who have been DMFs. I preserve speaking to them loads about totally different match conditions and the best way to deal with them. If I’m unable to discover a answer to an issue myself, I’ve teammates to lean on for steerage.
Hardik, at a younger age you been a part of main victories with the Indian group. What retains you motivated?
My aim from the start was to be a part of an Indian group that has received an Olympic gold. It’s my aim. I haven’t achieved that however we are attempting our greatest to succeed in it. When we went to the Olympics (Tokyo), I used to be simply 22. A whole lot of work must be finished. My quick intention is to be a part of groups that win gold, I don’t wish to end second or third. Just wish to win gold with the Indian group. Every day I believe that this group can win an Olympic gold.
Indian group’s new coach Craig Fulton has introduced with himself a distinct philosophy: Defend to assault. What’s your impression of him to date?
Our earlier coach (Graham Reid) was with us for practically 4 years. Keeping apart all his qualities, his mindset was that of Australians – assault, assault, assault. Our present coach is tactically fairly good. We are engaged on totally different eventualities like if we’re profitable or trailing by a aim, what ought to be our tactic? How ought to we be taking part in throughout the previous couple of seconds of a match? Things like that. The new coach has introduced European hockey with himself. It’s suiting our hockey. From an attacking mindset, we have now now switched to controlling the tempo of the sport.
2023 Hockey World Cup was disappointing for the Indian group. It was a heartbreak to your too due to an harm throughout a pool sport. Can you discuss that part?
It’s a part of an athlete’s life. It was truly a darkish part, I used to be ready for this for 4 years. I used to be mentally making ready myself to present 100 per cent through the World Cup which was going to be performed in India. I had 7-8 days to get to full health however going by that rehab part was a tough process in itself. I used to be having doubts like what if don’t recuperate? The second, I bought injured through the match, I knew then ke nahi hoga ab (I received’t have the ability to proceed). You understand how dangerous is it. Still I used to be totally dedicated to my rehab for these 7-8 days.
Coaching workers, teammates – everybody was very supportive. They used to go to me and console me. I knew I wouldn’t have the ability to recuperate for the quarterfinals. You study loads by dangerous experiences. For practically one-and-a-half month I saved regretting – I wasn’t in a position to play the match itself. Yeah, it was a darkish part however a part of life. We transfer on.
How is the group approaching the Asian Games?
When you play in opposition to a low-ranked group, you might be tempted to loosen up a bit. But we at all times play as per our requirements. We will take one sport at a time – be it China, Japan or Pakistan. We have divided this match in three phases: First part is coping with comparatively simpler challenges, 2nd is coping with Japan and Pakistan and third part is the ultimate.
First part includes bettering ourselves, we have now to be our greatest within the second and for ultimate part we have now to present all of it. We have to stay to our strengths.
Source: www.news18.com
