Rourkela, February 15, 2026: As the Indian men’s hockey team takes the field today against Argentina in the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025-26 Rourkela Leg, the atmosphere is electric. This is a milestone moment for local midfielder Rosan Kujur. After impressive performances at the junior level, the young talent will make his senior India debut on his home field today, realizing a dream he has nurtured since his days at the Panposh hostel.
For Rosan, wearing the India jersey in front of his own people for the first time is a special feeling.
“It is a proud moment for me to have the opportunity to be part of the Senior team in my home state,” said Rosan. “When I play in front of my home crowd, the people who watched me grow up in the hostel will see how far I have come. It inspires the younger boys to watch; they feel that if I can do it, they can do it too.”
Rosan’s journey to this debut has been steady and determined. He was first noticed during the Sub-Junior Nationals in 2019. Later, during his time at the Odisha Naval Tata High Performance Centre, his coaches noticed his natural speed and ball control. They moved him from a defensive role to an attacking midfielder – a change that accelerated his growth through the junior ranks.
His recent experience in the Hero Hockey India League with champions Vedanta Kalinga Lancers also played a big role in his preparedness. By playing together with international stars, he learned to deal with pressure and improved his tactical insight.
“In the Hero HIL, players like Arthur Van Doren really helped me understand positioning. He pushed me from behind and guided me in dealing with my zone. Those little technical details made me feel more confident on the field today,” Rosan explained.
After a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships and a strong Hero HIL season, Rosan knows that the senior level is a step higher. He credits senior players like Manpreet Singh and PR Sreejesh for helping him understand the high standards required.
“I was told that performing well here is the last step. If I don’t grab this, I would have to go back and climb two or three steps again. That motivation drives me to match the intensity of the experienced players and prove that I belong here,” Rosan added.
Rosan’s rise to the international stage is a testament to his dedication. His first real taste of top-level hockey came as a young volunteer from the Panposh hostel during the 2018 World Cup in Odisha. At the time, his responsibilities included managing the luggage of international teams and assisting with their transportation – an experience that motivated him to work harder on his own game.
“In 2018 I did volunteer work, put luggage on the bus and watched players like Amit Rohidas bhaiya“I thought I wanted to learn and play well so I could make the team,” Rosan remembers. ‘I hadn’t thought much about the Senior team at the time. I didn’t think the jump would happen so quickly, but now that I’m here, I’m ready to give my best.”
All India matches of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025-26 Rourkela match will be telecast on Star Sports Khel and JioHotstar.