The future of Indian hockey looks promising with a new generation of talented players making their mark at both junior and senior levels. 

These young athletes have already showed their potential on the international stage, contributing to India’s recent successes. 

Here’s a look at some rising stars in the Indian hockey setup who are poised to play important roles in the coming years.

Amir Ali | Defender 

Amir Ali, the captain of the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team, is set to make his mark in the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25.

Bagged by Team Gonasika for a remarkable INR 34 lakh at the HIL auction, Amir’s rise from humble beginnings to the top of Indian hockey is nothing short of inspirational.

Amir, who is a defender, recently led the Indian Team to a Junior Asia Cup title win and now he is excited to play in the upcoming Hockey India League while aiming to continue his winning momentum.

Amir also played for the senior Indian team that won gold at the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy.

Rohit | Defender

Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team defender Rohit is quickly becoming one of the star defenders in Indian hockey. 

He was an integral part of the 2023 Junior Asia Cup title-winning team, and the Bronze medal-winning team at the Sultan of Johor Cup 2023 and 2024 as well.

Playing for Hockey Chandigarh, Rohit has gained valuable international display, including at the 2023 FIH Junior World Cup.

Ankit Pal | Midfielder

Ankit Pal’s rise in Indian hockey is an inspiring story of resilience. 

At just 19, the midfielder has already represented India at the 2023 Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup, where he made a significant impact.

Known for his ability to transition seamlessly between defence and attack, Ankit is a player with a bright future. 

Mukesh Toppo | Defender

Mukesh Toppo of Odisha is a standout defender in Indian hockey. 

Representing the Punjab Hockey Club Academy, Mukesh has made significant contributions to the Indian junior men’s team.

His defensive skills were on full display during important tournaments like the Sultan of Johor Cup and the Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup. 

Abhishek Nain | Forward

Olympic bronze medal-winning forward Abhishek Nain has quickly established himself as a key forward in the Indian men’s hockey team. 

He made his international debut in 2022 and has since played a crucial role in India’s success at the 2022 Asian Games and Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Having played 74 matches for India, Abhishek is no stranger to high-pressure situations.

Abhishek was the second-highest paid player in the revived Hockey India League auctions behind India captain Harmanpreet Singh (Rs 78 lakh), fetching Rs 72 lakh from Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers.

Vivek Sagar Prasad | Midfielder

Vivek Sagar Prasad from Bhopal is one of Indian hockey’s brightest stars. 

At just 17, he became the second-youngest player to debut for India.

Since then, the creative playmaker has made over 100 international appearances for India.

He also led the Indian junior hockey team to a silver medal at the Youth Olympic Games 2018 in Buenos Aires.

In the same year, Vivek helped India win bronze at the Asian Games in Jakarta and silver at the Champions Trophy in the Netherlands.

The Indian hockey player was also declared the FIH Men's Rising Star of the Year in 2019.

Playing as a midfielder, Prasad was instrumental in India's bronze medal finish at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics.

He was named FIH Young Player of the Year in 2021.

In 2022, Vivek Sagar Prasad helped India win silver at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

In 2023, He was part of the Indian team that won gold medals at the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai and the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Sanjay Rana | Defender 

The Indian Men's Hockey Team player Sanjay, who is a formidable defender and drag-flicker, made his olympic debut in Paris where the team clinched bronze. 

Hailing from Haryana, Sanjay has already earned a reputation as one of India’s most dependable defenders.

He rose through the ranks at the Chandigarh Hockey Academy, making his international debut in 2019.

Sanjay made his senior team debut in June 2022 and quickly made an impact by helping India win the inaugural FIH Hockey5s. 

He has also participated in major tournaments such as the 19th Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou, China, and the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023, where the team clinched Gold medals. 

His performance in the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021 earned India a 4th position, and he secured a silver medal in the 3rd Youth Olympic Games 2018.

Hockey India have announced all the nominations for the 7th Hockey India Annual Awards 2024. The award ceremony will take place on 15th March in New Delhi with a record prize pool of approx INR 12 crores. 

Read Also | Yo-Yo Test: Hardik Singh’s Revelation Sparks Debate Between Fitness of Cricketers and Hockey Players

A total of 32 players have been nominated across eight categories for the award ceremony this year. Among all the awards, the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year will be under the spotlight which will honour the best male and female hockey players of India. 

During the ceremony, India’s Olympic bronze medal-winning team will be felicitated, along with the Men’s and Women’s teams that won the Asian Champions Trophy in 2024. The Junior Asia Cup-winning Men’s and Women’s teams will also be honoured during the award ceremony.

The award ceremony will also celebrate 50th anniversary of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team’s historic World Cup victory on the same date in 1975—their first and only title to date.

Read Also | The New Age Indian Hockey Stars: Who to Watch in 2025

The Nominees for the Hockey India Annual Awards 2024 are:

Hockey India Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year 2024 

1. Bichu Devi Kharibam

 2. Krishan Bahadur Pathak

 3. PR Sreejesh

 4. Savita 

Hockey India Pargat Singh Award for Defender of the Year 2023

1. Sanjay

2. Amit Rohidas

3. Harmanpreet Singh

4. Udita

 Hockey India Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year 2024

1. Jarmanpreet Singh 

2. Hardik Singh

3. Nilakanta Sharma

 4. Sumit

Read Also | Amir Ali: A Journey From "tin briefcase" to Hockey Glory

 Hockey India Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year 2024 

1. Lalremsiami

2. Abhishek

3. Sukhjeet Singh

4. Navneet Kaur

 Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Women – Under 21) 

1. Beauty Dungdung

2. Deepika

3. Vaishnavi Vithal Phalke

4. Sunelita Toppo

Hockey India Jugraj Singh Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Men – Under 21)

 1. Arshdeep Singh

 2. Amir Ali

 3. Shardanand Tiwari

 4. Araijeet Singh Hundal

Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of The Year (Women)

1. Savita Punia

 2. Salima Tete

 3. Sangita Kumari

 4. Navneet Kaur

Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of The Year (Men)

1. Abhishek

2. Hardik Singh

3. Harmanpreet Singh

 4. Sukhjeet Singh

The most anticipated Hockey India League auction will start today, October 13th, at New Delhi and will continue till October 15th. More than 1,000 players have registered for the auction. This includes more than 400 domestic players. and over 150 international players. Apart from the playing hockey players in India, retired stalwarts like Rupinder Pal Singh and Birendra Lakra.

The women's league has more than 250 domestic players and 70+ overseas players registered for the tournament.

Earlier, Hockey India had already mentioned the limited venues assigned for the tournament. These are: Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha. Ranchi will host all the women's matches while the men's matches will take place in Rourkela.

Read Also: Hockey India League back after 7 years: All you need to know about it 

The Team Basics

Irespective of the men's and women's teams, each team can have a maximum of 24 players. Each team cannot bag more than 8 overseas players and should have 24 indigenous players that include at least 4 juniors.

How many teams will play the tournament?

The men's league will play 8 teams this year. The inaugural women's league will play 6 teams. The franchises that have confirmed their investment are: 

• Charles Group, 
• Yadu Sports,
• JSW Sports,
• Shrachi Sports, 
• SG Sports and Entertainment,
• Vedanta Limited,
• Resolute Sports,
• Navoyam Sports Ventures Private Limited

Purse details:

Each of the eight men's team will have a budget of 4 crores, while the women's tean will have 2 crore for the procedure.

As per the auction procedure, there is no upper limit of expenditure on a particular player, but accumulating the required number of players must be done within the purse.

Base price:

Three categories have been induced according to the ranks of each player: Rs 2 lakh (for juniors), Rs 5 lakh, and Rs 10 lakh.

Where to watch the auction?

Hockey India League has initiated their own Hockey India League Youtube channel where they will live stream the entire lauction procedure.

Other than that, DD Sports will broadcast the auction live, from Sunday.

On the first day, ie, 13th October, the auction will start from 2 pm. On the next two days, the auction procedure will commence on and from 9:30 am. in the morning.

Hockey India, on Tuesday has selected 40 probable players for the coaching camp of the Indian Men's Hockey Team in Bengaluru in preparation for the two-match series against world champions Germany here later this month.

Also Read: Yo-Yo Test: Hardik Singh’s Revelation Sparks Debate Between Fitness of Cricketers and Hockey Players

Two matches will be played against Germany on the 23rd and 24th October at Major Dhyanchand National Stadium. The camp will run from October 1 to 19. The focus of the camp will be on honing the skills of the players and developing strategies during matches.

The Indian Men's Hockey Team won the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 and retained the title at the Asian Champions Trophy in China. The team will head into this camp following these recent successes.

'This camp will allow us to improve our strategies'

India captain Harmanpreet Singh said the camp will help in ensuring that the team is well-prepared and in peak condition before facing Germany. "Playing against the world champions is a tremendous opportunity for us to showcase our abilities, and having an exciting mix of players in this camp will allow us to improve our strategies and build the cohesion needed,"

"Each player in this core group brings unique strengths and varying levels of experience and we'll be focusing on how to harness these individual talents and help us grow as players. Our objective is to create an environment where everyone pushes each other and by the end of this camp, we want to be an even stronger and better coordinated team." Harmanpreet added. 

Indian hockey players Varun Kumar and Karthi Selvam will return to the national camp.

Also Read: A Bronze costs just USD 100: Trembling Future of Pakistan Hockey Team

Indian Men's Hockey Team | 40-member Squad

Goalkeepers

Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Pawan, Suraj Karkera, Mohith H.S.

Defenders

Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Sanjay, Jugraj Singh, Amandeep Lakra, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Varun Kumar, Yashdeep Siwach, Dipsan Tirkey, Mandeep Mor

Midfielders

Rajkumar Pal, Shamsher Singh, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Nilakanta Sharma, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, Mohammed Raheel Mouseen, Vishnukant Singh, Rajinder Singh, Poovanna CB

Forwards

Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Angad Bir Singh, Aditya Lalage, Boby Singh Dhami, Sudeep Chirmako, S. Karthi, Maninder Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh

Hardik Singh's statements that Indian hockey players are "scoring more" in the Yo-Yo Test routinely, even compared to cricketers, had been a surprise factor for many sports fans. Players in the game of hockey regularly exceed 23 on the Yo-Yo Test, he said and even the fittest cricketers like Virat Kohli stopped at about 17 to 18, Singh added. 

Not only that, the jaw dropped when Hardik claimed that the junior women's hockey team's Yo-Yo test scores are equal to that of Kohli's. This sparked questions. So what is this Yo-Yo Test, and why is everybody, especially cricketers, making so much hoo-hah about it along with the Hockey team?

The Yo-Yo Test: From Danish Soccer Fields to Indian Cricket Camps

The Yo-Yo Test isn't just a quirky name. In the early 1990s, Danish soccer physiologist Jens Bangsbo first introduced the 3200-meter test as a measure of fitness evolution. The term yo-yo originates from the way that a yo-yo is testing, back-and-forth.

The Bangsbo test replicated the activity pattern of soccer. This includes short bursts of high-intensity activity interspersed with brief recovery periods. And thus, it became soccer-friendly within days. It then quickly spread amongst athletes from sports such as basketball, tennis, and even handball. All these games require sprints followed by short rest periods.

Read Also: Top 6 male fittest players in the world 

It was a breakthrough test. It includes moving from the previous steady aerobic fitness tests like the 12-minute run that did not reflect the stop-start nature of these sports. This Test just replicated the realities—having to accelerate and stop quickly or run hard for a short period followed by an intense recovery.

The Indian Cricket Connection: Enters Shankar Basu

The Yo-Yo Test gained popularity in European soccer. Later, it emigrated to the courts of other team sports. The Indian Cricket team took a long time.

In 2017, thanks to the strength and conditioning coach Shankar Basu, who implemented the Yo-Yo test as the ultimate bar to ensure fitness. The aim was to guarantee players could cope with the demands of modern cricket. The test was the right fit for it, as cricket these days demands explosive sprints between the wickets and rapid fielding movements.

As a result, the test became a requirement for selection into the Indian cricket team. Players had to achieve a minimum score of 16.1. Only those who met this standard were deemed fit for national duty. Suresh Raina, failing to reach the mark in 2017, was left out of the team. Virat Kohli, known for his dedication to fitness, achieved a remarkable score of 17.2 in 2023.

However, Hardik Singh pointed out that this score would barely make a dent in the hockey world.

Cricket vs Hockey: Why the Yo-Yo Test Favors Hockey Players

So, why do hockey players like Hardik Singh say that their scores are far superior to those of cricketers? The nature of hockey requires players to maintain a high level of intensity throughout the game. However, cricket requires athletes to engage in short, intermittent sprints.

In hockey, players are in a constant transition between offence and defence. They are continuously racing up and down the field and quickly recovering. Hockey is a sport that doesn't ensure ball possession to a particular player but demands him/her to be in action throughout.

This type of movement closely resembles and suits the test. Thus it rightly explains why athletes from more physically demanding sports like hockey can achieve impressive Yo-Yo Test scores, sometimes reaching as high as 23. 

Hardik’s teammate, PR Sreejesh, the experienced goalkeeper, managed to score an impressive 21 on the test. Funny enough, this guy needs to just move and dive within the 20-meter mark and nothing else!

Read Also: Hockey India decides to retire jersey No. 16 in honour of goalkeeper PR Sreejesh

How does the Yo-Yo Test Work?

The test requires athletes to run back and forth between two cones that are 20 meters apart. It may sound easy, but it’s not. Athletes need to reach the cone before the beep. And as they progress through each level, the beeps come more quickly.

This means they have to run faster and faster. After each sprint, they get a brief recovery period of 5 to 10 seconds before the next sprint begins. The test starts at a relatively slow pace, but soon athletes find themselves sprinting at full speed, struggling to catch their breath as the pace becomes increasingly difficult to maintain.

The test concludes when an athlete can no longer reach the cone before the beep. Their score reflects how many levels and shuttles (round trips) they can complete before they have to stop.

Aerobic and Anaerobic Fitness

The Yo-Yo Test is necessary due to its ability to assess both aerobic and anaerobic fitness. Aerobic fitness deals with how effectively the body is utilizing oxygen over extended periods. Anaerobic fitness, on the other hand, focuses on your performance during short, intense efforts when oxygen isn't readily available. 

In sports such as hockey, soccer, and basketball, athletes rely on both types of fitness to maintain high performance throughout the game. However, cricket involves a short and sudden burst of intense activity. It may be a dive at the slip, a one-handed catch, or diving to save the wicket. This is the reason cricket limits itself to the basic level of the test.

The Four Versions of the Test

The test, however, is not limited to just one type. There are four different types of this test, designed for different levels of fitness. Here, the types are mentioned.

1. Recovery Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1): This is the most common version, focusing on an athlete’s aerobic endurance.
2. Recovery Level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2): A tougher version of IR1, focusing more on anaerobic recovery.
3. Endurance Level 1 (Yo-Yo IE1): This version is used for sports that require lower intensity over a longer period.
4. Endurance Level 2 (Yo-Yo IE2): A more intense version of IE1 for athletes who need to perform at a high level for an extended time.
   

The cricketers use the Yo-Yo IR1 test. However, the Hockey players juggle between IR1 and the tougher version, IR2.

Beyond Fitness

This test is not just a medium to gain fitness. This ensures better stamina with better healing capabilities.

Apparently, it sounds like this enhances the on-field performances. But it has underlying positives. It helps the athletes to improve not just their stamina but also their ability to recover quickly between bursts of activity. As Hardik Singh mentions, hockey players must preserve peak fitness levels because their sport demands constant movement, high stamina, and swift bursts of speed.

Read Also: India at Olympics: Every member of the medal-winning hockey teams

The Final Whistle

A score that looks like a number has a huge amount of resilience and grip underneath it. Every time it feels like running out of breath, it seems like a continuous duel between the mind and the body. The mind pushes an exhausted body to be a better one.

Cricket, even though it is the most popular sport so far, doesn't need continuous body movements, unlike Hockey. Undoubtedly, the second one deserves more physical activities.

When it looks like a "choice" for sports like cricket, it's a necessity for fast-paced games like hockey! 

In the end, it's just a question asked to the fans out there: is it high time to not use the term "fittest athlete" for someone for just being popular?

Nevertheless, with a fanbase that ignores the Olympic bronze medalist and puts more emphasis on a mere influencer who has as few contributions, one can't expect more!

Hockey India on Saturday announced the 33-member Indian women's hockey team for the national coaching camp to be held from September 15 to October 9. This camp will be held at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) campus in Bengaluru.

Also Read: Asian Champions Trophy 2024: India beats Pakistan 2-1; qualifies for semis after fifth consecutive win

The camp will be the beginning of the team's preparation for the Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024 to be played at the newly constructed Rajgir Stadium in Bihar from 11 to 20 November. This prestigious tournament, a joint initiative between Hockey India and the Bihar Government.

India last played in FIH Hockey Pro League

The Indian Women's Hockey Team last participated in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-24 season in which they faced teams like Argentina, Belgium, Germany and Britain. Under the leadership of captain Salima Tete and vice-captain Navneet Kaur and the guidance of Harendra Singh, the team had performed brilliantly throughout the tournament.

The Indian Women's Hockey squad shortlisted for the camp includes goalkeepers Savita, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki, and Madhuri Kindo. The defenders selected are Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Ropni Kumari, Mahima Choudhary, Jyoti Chhatri, and Preeti.

Also Read: "The way I wanted is start with the juniors, and Rahul Dravid is an example," PR Sreejesh reveals his coaching roadmap aiming for the 2036 Olympics

In the midfield, the team features Salima Tete, Marina Lalramnghaki, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Jyoti, Edula Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Manisha Chauhan, Akshata Abaso Dhekale, and Ajmina Kujur. Also, the forward line includes Sunelita Toppo, Mumtaz Khan, Lalremsiami, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Navneet Kaur, Deepika Soreng, Preeti Dubey, Vandana Katariya, and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal. 

'This camp will allow us to refine our strategies'

Indian Women's Hockey Team head coach, Harendra Singh said, "The upcoming National Women’s Coaching Camp is a crucial step in our preparations for the Women's Asian Champions Trophy. This camp will allow us to refine our strategies, work on specific areas that need improvement, and build on the strengths we displayed during the FIH Pro League. With the Asian Champions Trophy being held in Rajgir for the first time, it is a unique opportunity for our team to perform at their best on home soil. We are focused on enhancing our skills, fitness, and teamwork, and this camp will lay the foundation for a successful tournament." 

Also Read: Hockey India decides to retire jersey No. 16 in honor of goalkeeper PR Sreejesh

33-member squad ahead of Asian Champions Trophy 2024

Goalkeepers

• Savita                  
• Bichu Devi Kharibam                     
• Bansari Solanki                 
• Madhuri Kindo                   
• Defenders
• Nikki Pradhan                   
• Udita                   
• Ishika Chaudhary                            
• Monika                
• Ropni Kumari                    
• Mahima Choudhary                       
• Jyoti Chhatri                      
• Preeti

Midfielders

• Salima Tete                       
• Marina Lalramnghaki                    
• Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke               
• Neha                   
• Jyoti                     
• Edula Jyoti                         
• Baljeet Kaur                      
• Manisha Chauhan                          
• Akshata Abaso Dhekale                
• Ajmina Kujur   

Forwards

• Sunelita Toppo
• Mumtaz Khan                   
• Lalremsiami                      
• Sangita Kumari                 
• Deepika                             
• Sharmila Devi                   
• Navneet Kaur                   
• Deepika Soreng                
• Preeti Dubey      
• Vandana Katariya
• Rutuja Dadaso Pisal