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Interview with Talwinder Singh: "Aim is to create penalty corner opportunities for our drag-flickers"

Talwinder Singh’s goal helped India qualify for the semifinals of the Hockey World League Final in Raipur

Talwinder Singh has quietly come up as one of the forward line options for the national team. The 22-year-old Mithapur lad – employed with Northern Railway – scored a crucial goal in India’s stunning 2-1 win over Great Britain in the 2015 Hockey World League Final Round in Raipur­ – a goal that enabled his side to reach the semifinals, where they upset the Dutch to bag the bronze medal.

The soft-spoken forward, who turns out for Delhi Waveriders in the Coal India Hockey League, spoke about his game and much more in an exclusive interview.

Excerpts:

Q. You have been in the senior team consistently in the last few tournaments – how does it feel be in the senior team considering you are new to the team set-up?

It’s a great feeling to be in the senior team. There is so much to learn from my team-mates, especially my senior team-mates. I’m really enjoying my game and hope to keep performing for the team.

Q. The 2015 European Tour (France and Spain) was a kind of a comeback for you since you made your senior international debut in the 2013 Asian Champions Trophy in Kakamigahara, Japan.

My senior international debut did happen two and a half years ago at the 2013 Asian Champions Trophy in Japan – I still remember I scored my maiden international goal in our third game – in our 3-0 win over Oman. I was part of the senior camp and got an opportunity to make a comeback on the 2015 European Tour.

Q. You are still new in the senior level hockey – how would you remember your crucial goal that helped India beat Great Britain 2-1 to reach the semifinal of the 2015 Hockey World League Final Round in Raipur?

Obviously, it was a huge game for us – I have to give all credit to Kothajit (Singh) for creating that goal-scoring opportunity for me – he dodged past two Great Britain players and essayed a scoop pass, which I got hold of and made the most of it with the only Briton goalkeeper to beat.

Given the situation of the match, I know I scored a crucial goal but Kothajit deserves credit for creating that opportunity.

Q. How about being part of India’s magnificent 8-7 (5-5) win over the Netherlands in the bronze medal play-off of the 2015 Hockey World League Final Round in Raipur?

It was a crazy game – we were trailing 0-2 at half-time – our head coach gave us a piece of his mind and we really got pumped up in the second half and scored about four goals in a span of nine minutes – it was a big win as we won a bronze medal at a major event after a long a gap since last winning a bronze at the 1982 Champions Trophy in Amstelveen.

Q. Every player looks to improve – as a forward what are the areas you want to focus on?

I want to create more penalty corners for my side as we have such a talented bunch of drag-flickers and also improve on my finishing skills.

Q. You had a pretty decent 2016 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup – you had scored three goals – one each against Canada, Pakistan and Malaysia – you must be happy with your performance in Malaysia.

Scoring goals is always satisfying and when it is for a winning cause it is a ‘high’ feeling. I scored one against arch-rivals Pakistan and that was also a pleasing experience.

Q. You have played just five tournaments in the senior team – are you really thinking of whether you will be to make it to the Rio Olympic squad?

India have got a strong forward line and right now, I only thinking of doing well in the upcoming Champions Trophy in London. I want to do well and take it from there.

Q. How do you unwind when you are not playing hockey or training?

I play a lot of video games when I’m not playing hockey.

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