"Delhi SG Pipers forward line is really special" - Navneet Kaur reflects on decade-long career before embarking on Hockey India League - [Exclusive]
Navneet Kaur has been picked to lead the Delhi SG Pipers side at the upcoming Hockey India League. The flamboyant, inherently tough, and ever-dependable striker has been a key member of an Indian side that broke new ground after winning a historic bronze medal in the 2013 Junior Women's World Cup.
Navneet, who scored the winning goal against Great Britain in Monchengladbach, reflected on an impressive decade-long career ahead of the Hockey India League during an exclusive interaction with Sportskeeda.
Decidedly excited to be part of the opening season of the women's edition of the Hockey India League, Navneet Kaur will spearhead an imposing forward line for the Delhi SG Pipers team in Ranchi.
Boasting of Indian internationals like Deepika, Sangita Kumari, Mumtaz Khan, and Preeti Dubey, the franchise will also be bolstered up-front by Great Britain's Charlotte Watson.
"The Delhi SG Pipers forward line is really special, in fact, it's pretty similar to the Indian forward line so I am sure we will combine well" asserted Navneet. "I am confident you will get to see how good we are as we are determined to give our best."
One of the most experienced campaigners in the side today, Navneet Kaur was part of a talismanic group that launched themselves onto the international arena with a rousing performance in the Junior World Cup in 2013.
Alongside the likes of Rani Rampal, Navjot Kaur, Monika and Vandana Katariya, Navneet set the stage for bigger things to come with a memorable show in Monchengladbach.
The striker from Haryana distinctly remembers the winning goal she scored that helped defeat Great Britain via sudden death in the bronze-medal game.
"I do remember the Junior World Cup in 2013 in which we won a bronze medal. The match ended in a draw in regulation time and had to be decided via sudden death where I scored the winning goal. That is a memory that I will always cherish," she stated.
Following her debut in the senior camp a year later, Navneet recalled that she was in and out of the side for a while before cementing her place in 2017. The Asia Cup win in Kakamigahara which helped India qualify for the 2018 Women's World Cup remains etched in her memory.
"I made my debut in 2014 and was in and out of the team a fair bit in the early days. From 2017, I have been playing consistently for the Indian side. Back in 2017, we won the Asia Cup and that was a stupendous beginning to what has been a great learning journey ever since," said Navneet Kaur, looking back at the win with an unmistakable sense of pride.
A special mention of the Tokyo Olympics where the Indians were a step away from what could have been an epic podium finish was unsurprising even as Navneet stressed that the team was now better prepared for the big stage.
"The Tokyo Olympics was without doubt the best experience I had. It’s true we do regret not having gone a step further. But it’s the first time ever that we progressed that far in an Olympic competition and it was great to have experienced what the atmosphere is like," the 28-year-old explained.
"Since we have now experienced what it feels like, am sure we will succeed if we reach the same stage again. We now know how to approach big games like medal matches and semifinal games and will be better prepared for them in the future" she reckoned.
"Asian Champions was a great beginning in a new journey - Navneet Kaur
While Navneet Kaur appears to get stronger with each passing year, not all her teammates of old have managed to remain regulars in the current set-up. While stalwarts like Rani Rampal and Deep Grace have now retired, a plethora of fresh talents has now made its way into the team.
Navneet was candid enough to admit that while she did miss some of her long-time teammates, the current lot have been quick to adapt and do turn to her for advice whenever required.
"It was difficult no doubt since I had played with the same group of players for several years in a row. On the positive side, the younger lot were quick to adapt and are extremely understanding as well. I always explore ways to connect better with them both on and off the field and I have to say that they are equally receptive to whatever I have to say," Navneet disclosed.
"There are also times when they ask me for advice so I would say the connection between us is great," she added.
A resounding win at the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir has heralded a new start for the Indian women's team who have all but shrugged off the debacle in the Olympic qualifiers as learning for the future.
"We cannot change what has already happened. That said, we take the result of the qualifiers as a learning for the future even as we make a new start. The Asian Champions Trophy was a great beginning in a new journey with the LA Olympics in mind," declared Navneet, echoing the sentiments of coach Harendra Singh.
Navneet Kaur is equally at ease with performing the role of an attacking midfielder when the situation so demands while her penalty corner slap-shot skills will add immeasurable value to the Delhi SG Pipers side.
"I began as a striker but my role changes also based on how the opposition plays or is expected to play. I enjoy both roles and I am happy that I can be a good midfielder as well when required," Navneet observed.
There is little doubt that Navneet Kaur will be one of the playmakers to look out for when the much-anticipated women's edition of the Hockey India League gets underway in Ranchi.