Anmol Ekka, Dilraj Singh and Arshdeep Singh emphasize how crucial this period will be for them
New Delhi, December 17, 2025: After the highlight of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup, where the Indian team clinched a bronze medal, backed by a brave comeback to beat Argentina 4-2, the India Colts stars are battling to impress even more with their performance in the upcoming Hero Hockey India League (HIL).
While the Women’s HIL will start in Ranchi on 28the This December, the Men’s HIL starts on 3 in Chennaird January.
The junior stars are well aware of the importance of the League, which will be closely monitored by Chief Coach Craig Fulton, who has kept a close eye on the progress of some of these players. Dilraj Singh, who scored a total of five goals in the tournament, said: “Ending the Junior World Cup campaign with a medal around our neck certainly feels fantastic, but to do well in the Hockey India League is the next big step in making the selection for the senior team. We are aware that we will be closely watched and it will be important to do well in the HIL where we will be on the same platform as some senior players from different countries.”
Dilraj is playing for SG Pipers this season. His compatriot Anmol Ekka, who was named player of the match for his incredible goals in the bronze medal match, also laid emphasis on putting up a better show in January. “I am looking forward to my adventure with the Ranchi Royals this season, where I will be playing alongside Loick Luypeart and Tom Boon, both PC experts, and I am very much looking forward to learning from them. I am quite confident that this experience will stand me in good stead as I pursue a place in the senior core group,” Ekka explained.
Arshdeep Singh, who played an important role in the Indian forward line with some nice assists and winning PCs apart from scoring a hat-trick of goals in the round robin stage, will appear for Hyderabad Toofans. “I am very excited and eagerly looking forward to the Hockey India League season. We have seen how this league has helped players break into the senior team in the past. One of the biggest names in Indian hockey to benefit from HIL is Amit Rohidas, whose stint with Kalinga Lancers gave him a new lease of life in hockey in 2017. He has not been looked back since and somehow this story is very popular among our junior team players.
We understand the importance of the competition and next year is crucial for us as we will push for a place in the senior team. If we can’t impress now, we know it’s a long road to the senior team where we will have to perform in the national championships. Since Chief Coach (Craig) has been closely monitoring us in the camps when we played against the seniors for practice matches and he will now be keeping an eye on us during HIL, doing well to secure our future will definitely be on our minds,” Arshdeep added.
All the junior stars have been included in the six HIL franchises that will compete for top honors this season. The opening match will be played between Tamil Nadu Dragons and Hyderabad Toofans in Chennai at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium.