More Than Ourselves, We Played for Punjab”: Jugraj Singh Shines at Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2025
Jugraj Singh delivered a stellar performance at the 15th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship 2025, helping Hockey Punjab clinch the prestigious title with a dominant 4-1 win over Hockey Madhya Pradesh in the final. The 28-year-old drag-flicker netted five goals during the tournament, finishing as the second-highest goalscorer.

Speaking about the team’s journey and his experience, Jugraj said, “Overall, it was a wonderful experience. We had a strong team and we were confident. In the final, we defeated a very strong team in Hockey Madhya Pradesh with a dominant scoreline, so I’m really happy with the way the team performed.”

In the final clash, Hockey Madhya Pradesh took the lead in the 28th minute. However, Hockey Punjab staged a remarkable comeback, scoring four unanswered goals to seal the championship. Jugraj, who scored twice in the final, highlighted the team’s mindset shift at halftime.

“After we conceded the first goal, we had a very good talk in the dressing room,” he said. “We discussed how we couldn’t afford to lose this match, and that more than ourselves, we were playing for Punjab. So the team was very determined in the second half.”

Hockey Punjab’s only loss in the tournament came during the Pool stage, ironically against Hockey Madhya Pradesh. Reflecting on that defeat, Jugraj noted, “We were very disappointed after our loss because we felt we could have won. We missed a lot of scoring opportunities. Later, we analysed our mistakes carefully because we knew we might face them again.”

Jugraj’s recent performances have been consistently impressive. Earlier this season, he was instrumental in leading Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers to victory in the Hero Hockey India League 2024/25, scoring 12 goals, including a hat-trick in the final. He also played a key role in India’s successful FIH Hockey Pro League (Men) home leg, where the national team won five out of eight matches and currently sits third in the standings.

On the secret to his scoring form, Jugraj shared, “I’ve been training very hard and working a lot on my drag-flicking. I’ve started reading the goalkeeper’s movements before striking, which helps me change direction at the last moment. In drag-flicking, more than power, the angle of the shot is very important — so I’ve been focusing on that.”

With his dedication and determination, Jugraj Singh continues to be a rising star in Indian hockey, inspiring both his teammates and fans across the country.