RevSportz Exclusive
Rohan Chowdhury
The Indian Women’s Hockey Team achieved a historic milestone by defeating World No. 1 Netherlands in the FIH Pro League, Bhubaneswar phase. In this phase, the team played eight games between 15th and 25th February and currently sits in 6th place in the league with 9 points.
In an exclusive conversation with head coach Harendra Singh, we delve into the team’s performance, key takeaways, future roadmap and much more.
Q: Coach, congratulations on the victory against the Netherlands. How would you describe the team’s performance?
Harendra Singh: Jai Hind! The team has made significant progress in this tournament. Playing eight matches in eleven days is a tough challenge—physically, mentally, and tactically. The players adapted phenomenally, adjusting tactics every two games based on the opponents. Except for the first match against Germany, where we lost 4-0, we showed tremendous resilience. Analysing all eight games, I am very satisfied with each player’s performance. However, I believe we could have secured six more points if our match management had been better.
Q: What areas do you think need further improvement?
Harendra Singh: We are continuously working on our drag flicks. I want to develop Deepika into one of the best drag flickers, like Harmanpreet Singh in the men’s team. Another key focus is improving attacking play inside the circle, especially in positioning and scoring field goals. If we can score more field goals, we can relieve pressure on penalty corners. Additionally, quick transitions from the ball side to the non-ball side need refinement.
Q: How did you prepare the team before a high-stakes match like the one against the Netherlands?
Harendra Singh: The biggest factor is self-belief. If an individual believes in themselves, the team believes too. We were ranked ninth, while the Netherlands was ranked first. So, we had nothing to lose. Changing this mindset is crucial for Indian athletes. The girls understood that winning against the best would give them global recognition and they did their best and got the result.
Q: Since you took charge after the team failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics, what improvements have you seen?
Harendra Singh: Fitness has vastly improved, especially speed, strength, and power. Although we’ve made about 60-70 per cent progress, the goal is to reach 80-90 per cent. Another key improvement is team unity and mentality. We focused on team bonding, which is now visible on and off the field. Science also plays a role in sports performance, including physiological, biomechanical, nutritional, and recovery aspects. Recovery is as important as training, and our team has started integrating it into the system.
Q: Has the Hockey India League played a role in the development of players?
Harendra Singh: Absolutely! The league gives players self-belief by allowing them to share the dressing room with top players like Yibbi Jansen and others. When Indian players interact with world-class athletes, they realise that they belong at the highest level. Leagues like the Hockey India League, IPL, and Pro Badminton League (however discontinued after 2020) help build confidence, and we’ve discovered raw talent through these platforms. I thank Dilip Tirkey (President, Hockey India), Bholanath Singh (Secretary General, Hockey India) and everyone in the federation who made the league successful and also the government for their immense support.
Q: What role has Hockey India and the government played in the sport’s growth?
Harendra Singh: Indian hockey is in its golden phase. The juniors, seniors, men, and women are all progressing well. The government and SAI (Sports Authority of India) have been extremely supportive, providing all necessary resources without hesitation. There’s a strong partnership between the federation, government, and agencies, making this a special time for Indian hockey.
Q: How do India’s training facilities compare to global standards?
Harendra Singh: I have travelled worldwide, and I can confidently say that India’s facilities are on par with the best. I have talked to several foreign coaches and players, and all of them feel the same. Everything—nutrition, recovery, physiotherapy, ice baths, high-performance training, and advanced testing—is available under one roof. This setup eliminates unnecessary travel, allowing players to focus entirely on training and recovery.
Q: What is the approach to balancing junior and senior players in the national team?
Harendra Singh: Selection is purely performance-based. Once a player wears the national jersey, there is no concept of senior or junior—it’s all about delivering on the field. However, experienced players help handle pressure in big matches. A blend of youth and experience is always ideal, and that’s what we aim for in team selection and we do have a good mix of young and experienced candidates in the squad.
Q: Savita Punia recently completed 300 international matches, making her only the second Indian woman to achieve this feat. What are your thoughts on her journey?
Harendra Singh: Completing 300 matches in women’s hockey is a testament to Savita’s discipline, dedication, and hunger to represent the country. Being a goalkeeper is challenging—one mistake, and you get blamed, but thousands of saves go unnoticed. Despite the pressures, she has remained injury-free and consistently performed for over a decade. She is the backbone of this team, and I salute her for her incredible contribution.
Q: Salima Tete mentioned that having an Indian coach helped players overcome language barriers. Do you agree?
Harendra Singh: She was right. Many players come from rural areas and primarily speak Hindi or their local language. If a coach doesn’t understand their background, it can be demotivating for them. However, I believe that sports is a universal language, and it’s the coach’s responsibility to adapt and communicate effectively with players. Language should never be a barrier to talent.
Q: Looking ahead, what is the team’s roadmap?
Harendra Singh: The players have been given four weeks of active rest before we regroup on March 23rd. We will then travel to Australia for five test matches before the next phase of the Pro League. This tour will help refine our squad, and the top 24 players will move on to the European leg of the tournament.
Q: Lastly, going back to the Pro League, how was the atmosphere in Bhubaneswar and how was it playing in front of the home crowd?
Harendra Singh: The atmosphere was electrifying at the Kalinga Stadium, and the players thoroughly enjoyed playing in front of the packed crowd. The cheers elevated their motivation and helped them perform better. I am thankful for the support we have received in Bhubaneswar and also to the Government of Odisha and Hockey India for providing the top standard facility at the Kalinga Stadium.
Q: Any final thoughts?
Harendra Singh: Our long-term vision is the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, marking 100 years since Dhyan Chand won gold in 1928. I want this team to write its own history. The journey starts with the upcoming World Cup and Asian Games. If we perform well there, I believe we can secure a medal in L.A.
Thank you, and Jai Hind!
🚨 Coach #HarendraSingh Exclusive
Performance in the #FIHProLeague in Bhubaneswar, areas of improvement, impact of @HockeyIndiaLeag, roadmap leading to #LA28 and more!
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Full interview: https://t.co/t6YYwyTtb1 pic.twitter.com/YZXrPXcWNa
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) February 27, 2025