Indian hockey players head Down Under for Hockey One stint | Hockey news

Kanika Siwach (left) and Udita

Kolkata: Even as the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams prepare for the upcoming World Cup and Asian Games, a group of players outside the current national squad have signed up to play in Australia’s Hockey One League, which will be held in October and November.So far, four Indian players have officially announced their participation, all of whom will represent the Melbourne Cobras franchise. The women’s contingent consists of Kanika Siwach and Udita, while Gurjant Singh and Mohammed Raheel Mouseen will feature in the men’s team. The club has also roped in former India stars Rupinder Pal Singh and Rani Rampal as ambassadors.The Cobras have actively promoted the Indian community in Australia and have built a team that combines Indian and Australian talent.Speaking about her decision, Kanika, daughter of former India captain and coach Pritam Siwach, said she wanted to challenge herself by moving away from a familiar home.“I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. At home I was with the same players for five or six years. I didn’t know anyone here. I had to adapt to a new culture, new teammates and a completely different environment. I wanted to test myself and that’s why I came.”Kanika, who played at the Junior World Cup last year and scored five goals, has already spent over a month in Australia and is currently playing in the Women’s Premier League for Mentone Hockey Club.Reflecting on her experience so far, she said: “Australian hockey is very different from Indian hockey. It’s a lot more physical and faster. They also put a lot of emphasis on teamwork. In India we focus a lot on individual skill development, while here it’s more structured and team-oriented.”Udita, who has represented India in 138 international matches and last played for the national team in the Women’s World Cup qualifiers in Hyderabad earlier this year, is equally excited about the opportunity.“Our Indian hockey league is relatively short, lasting about 20 to 25 days, while the Australian league lasts almost two months. This means we will be immersed in hockey for much longer and will be able to observe their training habits, routines and overall approach.”Former Indian drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh believes the engagement will be invaluable for Indian players, given the limited opportunities they have to play in overseas leagues.“Indian players don’t often get a chance to play in international leagues, so this is a precious opportunity,” said the former India player. “This will allow our players to experience Australian hockey culture first-hand, watch them prepare and learn from their training methods.”This exposure, Rupinder believes, could prove invaluable as Indian players return home with fresh ideas, different perspectives and a better understanding of one of the world’s strongest hockey systems.