Junior Hockey Stars Eye Senior Call-Up via HIL

Emerging from their bronze medal victory at the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup, India's promising junior hockey players are now focused on the Hero Hockey India League (HIL). The Men's HIL is set to begin in Chennai on January 3, 2026, offering a significant platform for these athletes to showcase their potential.

Senior team chief coach Craig Fulton will be closely observing the junior stars throughout the league. Players like Dilraj Singh, who scored five goals in the World Cup, and Anmol Ekka, a standout in the bronze medal match, view the HIL as their next critical step toward national team selection. They are eager to compete alongside and learn from experienced players.

Arshdeep Singh, another key junior player, highlighted the league's historical success in developing talent for the senior squad, citing Amit Rohidas as an example. The upcoming HIL season is seen as a vital period for these players to prove themselves and secure their future in Indian hockey, with coach Fulton's scrutiny adding to the stakes.