Talwinder Singh has quietly come up as one of the forward line options for the national team. The 22-year-old Mithapur lad – employed with Northern Railway – scored a crucial goal in India’s stunning 2-1 win over Great Britain in the 2015 Hockey World League Final Round in Raipur – a goal that enabled his side to reach the semifinals, where they upset the Dutch to bag the bronze medal.
The soft-spoken forward, who turns out for Delhi Waveriders in the Coal India Hockey League, spoke about his game and much more in an exclusive interview.
Excerpts:
Q. You have been in the senior team consistently in the last few tournaments – how does it feel be in the senior team considering you are new to the team set-up?
It’s a great feeling to be in the senior team. There is so much to learn from my team-mates, especially my senior team-mates. I’m really enjoying my game and hope to keep performing for the team.
Q. The 2015 European Tour (France and Spain) was a kind of a comeback for you since you made your senior international debut in the 2013 Asian Champions Trophy in Kakamigahara, Japan.
My senior international debut did happen two and a half years ago at the 2013 Asian Champions Trophy in Japan – I still remember I scored my maiden international goal in our third game – in our 3-0 win over Oman. I was part of the senior camp and got an opportunity to make a comeback on the 2015 European Tour.
Q. You are still new in the senior level hockey – how would you remember your crucial goal that helped India beat Great Britain 2-1 to reach the semifinal of the 2015 Hockey World League Final Round in Raipur?
Obviously, it was a huge game for us – I have to give all credit to Kothajit (Singh) for creating that goal-scoring opportunity for me – he dodged past two Great Britain players and essayed a scoop pass, which I got hold of and made the most of it with the only Briton goalkeeper to beat.
Given the situation of the match, I know I scored a crucial goal but Kothajit deserves credit for creating that opportunity.
Q. How about being part of India’s magnificent 8-7 (5-5) win over the Netherlands in the bronze medal play-off of the 2015 Hockey World League Final Round in Raipur?
It was a crazy game – we were trailing 0-2 at half-time – our head coach gave us a piece of his mind and we really got pumped up in the second half and scored about four goals in a span of nine minutes – it was a big win as we won a bronze medal at a major event after a long a gap since last winning a bronze at the 1982 Champions Trophy in Amstelveen.
Q. Every player looks to improve – as a forward what are the areas you want to focus on?
I want to create more penalty corners for my side as we have such a talented bunch of drag-flickers and also improve on my finishing skills.
Q. You had a pretty decent 2016 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup – you had scored three goals – one each against Canada, Pakistan and Malaysia – you must be happy with your performance in Malaysia.
Scoring goals is always satisfying and when it is for a winning cause it is a ‘high’ feeling. I scored one against arch-rivals Pakistan and that was also a pleasing experience.
Q. You have played just five tournaments in the senior team – are you really thinking of whether you will be to make it to the Rio Olympic squad?
India have got a strong forward line and right now, I only thinking of doing well in the upcoming Champions Trophy in London. I want to do well and take it from there.
Q. How do you unwind when you are not playing hockey or training?
I play a lot of video games when I’m not playing hockey.
