Young Forward Arshdeep Singh Shines with Senior India Debut, Nominated for Hockey India Jugraj Singh Award
New Delhi [India], March 12 (ANI): Rising hockey star Arshdeep Singh, a 20-year-old forward, has been making waves with his impressive performances, recently earning his senior India debut at the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25 (Men) in Bhubaneswar. Recognizing his dedication and talent, Hockey India has nominated him for the prestigious Jugraj Singh Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Men - Under 21).
Arshdeep is nominated alongside his junior squad teammates Amir Ali, Shardanand Tiwari, and Araijeet Singh Hundal. Expressing his excitement over the nomination, he stated in a Hockey India press release,
"I did not expect to be nominated for such a prestigious award. I am honored and grateful to Hockey India. Even if I don’t win, this has motivated me to work harder and improve my game."
Senior India Debut: A Learning Experience
Reflecting on his senior team debut, Arshdeep shared, "My debut experience was fantastic. I got to play two matches and learned a lot, especially about how structured the world’s top teams are. Playing alongside senior players has boosted my confidence and encouraged me to keep improving."
Breakthrough Performances in Junior and Domestic Hockey
Arshdeep first rose to prominence during the 2024 Men's Junior Asia Cup, where he delivered an outstanding performance, scoring six goals in the tournament. The highlight for him was India’s victory against Pakistan in the final, a moment he cherishes deeply.
"It was a great tournament for me, and scoring in the final made it even more special. I thought I would get a chance in the senior team after the Junior World Cup later this year, but I never expected to be selected so soon."
His true breakout moment, however, came earlier this year in the Hockey India League (HIL), where he was named "Upcoming Player of the Tournament". Playing for Hyderabad Toofans, he was one of the team's key players, scoring three goals to help them reach the final.
"The team atmosphere at Hyderabad Toofans was very positive, which allowed me to play freely and thrive in the tournament," he said.
A Proud Moment: National Team Selection
Arshdeep recalled the special moment when he received news of his selection to the senior national team,
"I was with my team when I found out. The first person I called was my mom—it was truly a proud moment for me."
On his debut match against Spain, he admitted feeling more excited than nervous, thanks to the support of senior players.
"Sukhjeet advised me to play freely and not worry about mistakes, emphasizing that how I react to them matters more. Captain Harmanpreet Singh even told me he would do his best to win the match for me and encouraged me to try scoring a debut goal."
Next Target: Junior Hockey World Cup
Arshdeep has now joined the junior squad camp in Bengaluru, where he is preparing for the much-anticipated Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup in December. With his rapid rise and unwavering determination, he remains a player to watch in Indian hockey’s promising future.
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