Yuvraj Walmiki Interview - "I'm a fighter and not a loser"

When India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy in China, a little known young boy was the centre of attraction after converting the stroke that gave India the win. Rising from the slums of Mumbai, talented striker Yuvraj Walmiki was living the dream, but he soon found out that life is not a bed of roses when he was dropped from the London 2012 squad. He has fought his way back into the team, and when Sportskeeda caught up with the striker for an exclusive interview, this is what he had to say:

Yuvraj Walmiki of India scores a goal against Singapore during the men’s field hockey match between India and Singapore of the FIH London 2012 Olympic Hockey qualifying tournament at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on February 18, 2012.

First of all, I’d like to know what was it was like to don the national team’s colours for the first time?

For any sportsperson, it’s always a proud feeling to don the national colours for the very first time. When I started playing hockey twelve years back, I always dreamt of playing for the country, and finally the dream came true for me. I always believed in one thing: ‘The name at the front of the jersey matters way more than the one on the back of it.”

How much of an influence did your first coach Mr. Merzaban Patel have in you becoming the player you are today? 

Merzban Patel, whom I  fondly call as Bawa, built a dream for me. I will always be in his debt for the confidence and belief he instilled in me, which helped me to go on and achieve my dream of playing for India.

What was going through your mind when you stepped up to take the penalty stroke against Pakistan in last year’s Asian Champions trophy final?

India-Pakistan matches are special for any player. I was a bit nervous when I started my walk to the penalty spot, but when I reached it I was confident that this was my chance to prove myself and help India beat Pakistan, and more importantly win the Asian Champions Trophy.

How hard was it to come to grips with the fact that you had been overlooked for the Olympic team, despite having a successful year? And how tough was it to watch the team perform so badly?

For any sportsman, it’s always a dream to represent his country at the Olympics. I was heartbroken when I realized that I could not make it to the squad because of an injury that happened during the qualifiers. Those six months were hard to swallow, but I’m a fighter and not a loser, and I just kept telling myself that I have to remain strong and make a comeback to the Indian team again.

It’s been almost three years since you started playing for TG Frankenthal (Germany), and you were their top scorer in the 2011 and 2012 season. How has the experience been so far? And how different is it from the hockey played in our country?

I think the league in Germany is one of the best leagues in the world. I was very fortunate that I got a chance to play for TGF club, where before me three more Indian players had played – Sandeep Singh, Gurbaj Singh & Dhananjay Mahadik. I’m really thankful to Mahadik for recommending my name, and I’m happy that I could perform well and improve my game in the process. Compared to India, I think European leagues are of a very high standard and very fast-paced. In India, there are more domestic tournaments, whereas in Europe they have two segments of the league, and in winters they have indoor seasons.

Despite the Olympics debacle, the team has produced some good results in major tournaments. What according to you has been coach Michael Nobbs’ biggest contribution?

I think after the Olympic debacle, Team India has performed well in the Champions Trophy and the  Asian Champions Trophy. Michael Nobbs has given the team some very good results, and I think except the Olympics the team has played in the finals of almost every tournament they have participated in. Nobbs is a good and understandable coach, and has a lot of  faith in youngsters. He firmly believes in grooming the youth well, as they are the future.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 20: Yuvraj Walmiki of India looks for a pass during the match between New Zealand and India on day one of the International Superseries at Perth Hockey Stadium on October 20, 2011 in Perth, Australia.

Last minute setbacks have been a recurring theme in Indian hockey matches for the past few years. What is it that we so lack when it comes to finishing matches? Surely, fitness is not one of them…? 

I think that the mind set plays a very important role. You have to be physically as well as mentally fit during matches. We Indian players have to learn from other teams how to handle pressure in a crucial situations, but I think we are gradually getting rid of last minute setbacks.

Being a Mumbai boy, you were recently drafted to play for the Delhi Waveriders in the ongoing HIL. What are your thoughts on the tournament and its format? And what is it like to feature in the same attacking line-up which boasts the likes of Oscar Deecke and Lloyd Norris Jones?

I had prepared myself before the auctions that I’d give my 100% for whichever team I was chosen for. Getting into a favourite team was not my choice, as it was all for the franchises to decide.

I think I’m very lucky to be part of the Delhi Waveriders team, who have some tremendous players like Sardar Singh, who I think is a great player and a great person. It’s always a pleasure for me to play alongside him, as I truly respect him and admire him. We also  have the likes of Simon Child, Oscar Deecke and Llyod Norris Jones. I think that at the end of the HIL you might see a little different Yuvraj, as I’m getting to learn so many things from all these great players.

Who are the players you grew up idolising? And who is the best player you’ve played against?

Dhanraj Pillay has been my role model.  He has always supported me during my ups & downs. I think after Dhanraj, Jamie Dwyer and Sardara Singh are the ones I look up to, and I hope one day I can play at their level.