Coach Rajinder Singh and Captain Hardik Reflect on Hockey Punjab’s National Championship Triumph
Hockey Punjab emerged victorious in the 15th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2025, defeating Hockey Madhya Pradesh 4-1 in a high-octane final in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The title win marked a strong comeback for the team, which had last lifted the trophy in 2023 but fell short in the previous edition after a quarter-final exit.

Under the leadership of Captain Hardik Singh and the guidance of Coach Rajinder Singh, Hockey Punjab put up a spirited performance throughout the tournament. Despite an early setback—losing to Hockey Madhya Pradesh in the Pool stage—the team bounced back strongly, finishing second in Pool A and navigating a challenging knockout stage.

In the quarter-final, Hockey Punjab edged past Hockey Haryana 3-2, followed by a thrilling 4-3 victory against Uttar Pradesh Hockey in the semi-final. The final saw them avenge their earlier defeat to Hockey Madhya Pradesh with a commanding comeback after conceding the opening goal.

Reflecting on the tournament, Coach Rajinder Singh said, “It was a very good tournament for us, and we gave a solid performance overall. The loss against Hockey Madhya Pradesh was truly a turning point. We regrouped and made sure we didn’t take any game lightly after that.”

Speaking about tactics, the coach shared, “We didn’t have a lot of time to train together before the tournament, so I allowed the players—many of whom are national-level athletes—to settle naturally. After our Pool stage loss, we shifted from zonal-marking to man-marking, which proved more effective.”

Captain Hardik Singh praised the team’s fighting spirit, saying, “The plan was to attack from the start and the boys executed well. Though we missed a couple of chances, we are extremely happy with the win. It feels great to perform in the domestic circuit and bring home the gold.”

Key contributors to the team’s success included drag-flick specialist Jugraj Singh, who scored five goals—including a brace in the final—to finish as the tournament’s second-highest scorer. Promising youngster Araijeet Singh Hundal also impressed, netting three goals and playing a pivotal role in Punjab’s attack.

The championship win not only restores Hockey Punjab’s dominance in the national circuit but also highlights the team’s depth, resilience, and strategic adaptability under pressure.