From being out of the national team for more than a year to becoming the highest paid Indian in the Hockey India League (HIL) this season, Gurbaj Singh’s life has come a full circle. As the former India midfielder hopes to make his performances with Ranchi Rays count for a return to the national reckoning, he spoke to The Hindu about his expectations from the league and his satisfaction with his game so far:
How does it feel to come back and compete with and against the world’s top players?
I missed hockey for more than a year. I wasn’t there in HIL last season but I watched the games closely. I also saw all the international matches and followed all tournaments. But now, playing against the best, it’s a great feeling. With the top stars in our team and against us, there is a great understanding and it’s fun. It is a different game at the top level and the HIL is like any world level tournament so I am enjoying it a lot.
How did you keep yourself fit while being out of the national team?
I stayed focussed and kept training hard and whatever new or interesting I saw in world hockey, I incorporated in my training. That helped me not just learn new things but also stay updated with the latest in world hockey. I continued doing my best, making sure that even if I wasn’t playing at the top level, my training intensity didn’t come down and the benefits of that are now visible.
What exactly is your role with the team as a senior player?
When we are defending, first and foremost I have to shore up the defence. But then, my natural style is attacking hockey, so the second role is to go ahead whenever I can and help the forwards and set them up for goals. Other than that, I just try to stick to the plan and make sure it’s executed successfully on the field.
There are a lot of youngsters now in all the teams and doing well. How do you see the next crop of Indian players?
I think the best thing to happen was winning the junior World Cup. The players are all very good and the competition will now become more intense between the juniors and seniors, the gap has reduced a lot. It’s good for the players, everyone will put more effort now to improve their game, and it’s good for hockey to have a larger pool of players to choose from.
What are your targets from this HIL? How hopeful are you of making a comeback to the national side?
The first is to do my best for the team and repay the franchise’s faith in me. Then, of course, is the India camp — that decision will be up to the coach and the selectors but I want to showcase my best here. The HIL is a great platform to compete against the best in the world and I am hopeful a good performance here will be recognised.
Do you think the youngsters are ready to step up the senior level?
Every player goes through stages of development. I have played 10 years for India and been through camps, test matches, exposure tours, major tournaments. All that counts a lot. Playing 100-200 international matches is not easy, it makes a lot of difference. The youngsters are excited, talented and after winning the World Cup they are also very confident. But they need to develop that experience and that will happen when they come into the senior camp, play at home and abroad and only that can help them get better as players.
