At just 14, Ketan Kushwaha is already living a dream many can only imagine. The Shrachi Bengal Tigers rookie has scripted history by becoming the youngest player to feature in the Hockey India League (HIL), and the teenager from Jhansi is soaking in every moment of his rapid rise.
Ketan’s journey into hockey began in the simplest of ways, by following his elder brother to the ground.
“I used to go to the ground with my brother to watch hockey matches. The first time I went, I really developed an interest in the game,” Ketan told RevSportz. “Then I kept pursuing the sport, slowly fell in love with it, and started playing tournaments. That’s how the journey began.”
That journey has now taken him to the grand stage of the HIL, where he is sharing the dressing room with some of the biggest names in world hockey. Bought by the defending champions Shrachi Bengal Tigers, Ketan understands the magnitude of the opportunity in front of him.
“I would like to thank the Shrachi Bengal Tigers for providing me with such a big platform like the Hockey India League at such a young age,” he said. “I will try to make the most of it. Of course, it’s a challenge for us as a team to defend the crown.”
For a teenager still in school, the experience of training and playing alongside international stars has been surreal.
“It feels great to share the dressing room with players like Tom Grambusch and Christopher Rühr,” Ketan said with a smile. “Just watching them closely and learning from them is a big thing for me. I’m really looking forward to learning more from them this season.”
Ketan’s debut match in the HIL was an emotional rollercoaster. The pressure of stepping onto the pitch with Olympians and seasoned internationals was overwhelming.
“It was my first match, and there was a lot of pressure and fear before stepping onto the pitch,” he admitted. “I kept thinking about what would happen, playing with so many experienced players. But once I stepped onto the pitch and received the first ball, I forgot everything. Slowly, I got into the game.”
Despite his growing reputation as Indian hockey’s next big prospect, Ketan remains grounded. His biggest motivation, he says, lies away from the limelight.
“My only challenge is to make my parents and my nation proud,” he said quietly.
Balancing professional hockey with education is another challenge the 14-year-old is navigating carefully.
“Education is very important, and I try to balance both,” he explained. “I manage to go to school two or three days a week because it’s far from my hostel. Some days I feel tired because of training, so I try to study as much as I can at the hostel.”
Asked about age and opportunity, Ketan speaks with maturity beyond his years.
“I don’t think age matters anymore,” he said. “If you have talent, this generation will give you opportunities whether you are young or old. I have got this chance, and I won’t waste it. I will try my best to make the most of it.”
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