"Younger players will have opportunity to prove themselves" - Former defender VR Raghunath on return of Hockey India League
The prestigious Hockey India League is all set to return after a seven-year-long hiatus and will comprise 14 teams in total (eight men's teams and six women's teams). Players from 15 hockey-playing nations have also been allowed to register their players and support staff in the window sanctioned by Hockey India, which is from December 2024 to February 2025.
Former defender VR Raghunath expressed his delight at the revival of the Hockey India League and expects the competition to be a platform for identifying top talents. He feels the tournament will help domestic players to showcase the potential they have in their skill set.
He said told Hockey India:
“Hockey India League was one of the best leagues in the hockey circuit. I am excited to see all the domestic and foreign players getting involved in Hockey India League. We will have an opportunity to see a fantastic mix of top-quality players playing in one team. I am looking forward to the thrilling action.”
Raghunath, who is also widely considered to be a drag flick icon, added:
“Most of our younger players will have an opportunity to prove themselves by putting up splendid performances. Each player dreams of playing for his country. So, I think the Hockey India League will play a major role in identifying the talent for the national team and at the same time it will also be good exposure for them. Players like Manpreet Singh, and Harmanpreet Singh, were picked up from Hockey India League."
He also spoke about how the tournament will provide younger players an opportunity to learn from top-notch international talents:
"This is a platform for the domestic players to showcase their skills. The domestic players also will benefit financially as well. Several young players will be brushing their shoulders with top-quality international players from Europe, Australia, and South America. So, that will be great. It will be an opportunity for them to understand how top players play and how they think about the game and the work that goes into it.”
This will be the first time when a women's league will also run simultaneously with the men's competition. As a result, the tournament is expected to increase the talent pool of hockey players in India.
Speaking about the same VR Raghunath stated:
“The Women’s team has been doing good for the past few years. The Hockey India League will be a great motivation for the players. Through HIL, young players who don’t have much access to hockey will get a chance to showcase their skills and impress the selectors.”
VR Raghunath at the Hockey India League
The inaugural edition of the Hockey India League in 2013 saw VR Raghunath sign for Uttar Pradesh Wizards for US$ 76,000. He was named captain and under his leadership, the side finished the season in third place. He scored nine goals in 14 games and in the next edition, he netted eight goals in 12 outings.
Speaking about his playing days, the 35-year-old said:
“I was very lucky to play in the HIL with some top players. I used to watch their games closely and spent time with them discussing the game. The time I spent with them off the field increased my confidence. I understood how they handled the pressure and what training they did, how they ate, sleep. It was a great experience for me. It was a cultural exchange.”
He concluded the conversation by saying:
“The players who played with me were internationally renowned. It was very exciting and a new challenge for me. To play in the same team with their mindset and take their suggestions. I really liked and enjoyed the pressure and the quality of the game. I personally learned a lot from other European players insights like how to handle pressure in crunch games, what kind of skills to use and when, game planning, among many other learnings."