From Cricket Fields to Hockey Stardom: Rohit's Unlikely Journey
In the ongoing Hockey Junior World Cup 2025 in Tamil Nadu, all eyes are on 21-year-old Rohit, who carries the dual responsibility of being India's captain and one of the team's most crucial players. Hailing from Dabra village in Hisar, Haryana, this farmer's son has come a long way from playing casual cricket in his village evenings to leading the national junior hockey team on the world stage.
The Injury That Almost Ended His Career
Rohit's path to captaincy hasn't been without significant challenges. During a training camp last year, while performing his duty as the first rusher in penalty corner defence against the senior team, he suffered a serious facial injury that tested his resolve. The ball struck my face. I suffered a fracture, and I had to have a plate in my jaw, Rohit recalls about what he describes as the toughest moment of his young career.
For nearly six weeks, his fitness regimen came to a halt as he struggled with basic functions like eating and drinking properly. At that point, I felt like giving up, he admits with honesty. What is the point of taking such risks? Let it be. If someone scores a goal, so what? But as he gradually returned to full training, the fear dissipated, and he emerged stronger from the experience.
Discovery and Development at Chandigarh Academy
Rohit's hockey journey began unexpectedly in 2014 when he watched his cousin play for about 15-20 days. As a kid, seriously, I had very little idea about hockey, he confesses. His initial curiosity soon transformed into genuine interest, leading him to practice in his village for several months before attempting trials at the Chandigarh Sector 42 Hockey Academy.
It was here that coach Gurminder Singh recognized Rohit's potential and worked intensively with him for seven years. His speed, his strength, his skill, his style... whatever is necessary for him to become an international player, it was there in Rohit as a kid, Gurminder recalls. The coach, whom Rohit has saved as 'Universe Boss' on his phone, noticed his ward's exceptional physique and began training him specifically as a drag-flicker from the age of 12 or 13.
Overcoming Financial Hurdles and Family Support
Like many young hockey players in India, Rohit faced financial constraints early in his career. Equipment is not affordable, so we played with wooden hockey sticks that cost around Rs 250-300, he remembers. His father, while supportive, lacked knowledge about sports careers, leaving Rohit to pursue his dreams largely on his own initiative. I used to play on my own responsibility, he states, acknowledging that the dream of playing for India was primarily his own.
The Chandigarh Academy played a crucial role in his development, providing not just coaching but also essential equipment and dietary support that his family couldn't afford.
Learning from His Idol and Defining His Role
When asked about his hockey idols, Rohit's answer comes without hesitation: Most of the defenders, drag flickers... obviously Harman paaji will be their idol. He is everyone's favourite. The admiration is mutual, with senior team captain Harmanpreet Singh speaking fondly about Rohit's passion to learn and highlighting his defensive capabilities. He is an excellent defender too, as he plays the role of first rusher in Penalty Corner defence. When we play matches against the junior team, I also find it challenging to beat him, Harmanpreet acknowledged in a Hockey India video.
India head coach PR Sreejesh sees clear parallels between Rohit's role in the junior team and Harmanpreet's in the senior squad. He is a drag flicker, so his focus is mainly on PC attack. But he is a freeman, just like how Harman is in the senior team. He is a Libero, who is there to support the defence, but is more involved in the attacking plays, Sreejesh explains.
Leading India with Olympic Dreams
With regular striker Araijeet Singh Hundal sidelined due to injury, Rohit has taken on the additional responsibility of being the team's primary drag-flicker at the Junior World Cup. This adds to his already significant role as captain and defensive mainstay.
Rohit represents a new generation of Indian hockey players who are growing up witnessing consistent international success rather than just hearing stories about past glory. Right now, my dream is to win the World Cup, he states ambitiously. But ultimately, I want to play at the Olympics and win a medal. I have heard in the past that players just wanted to play at the Games. But now that we have won back-to-back medals, the mindset has changed.
From the fields of Dabra village to captaining India at the global stage, Rohit's journey exemplifies the changing landscape of Indian hockey, where talent from humble backgrounds can dream big and aim for the highest honors in international sport.
