Kalinga lancer

Rabobank Hockey World Cup: As the excitement builds for the return of the Hockey India League (HIL), Lalit Kumar Upadhyay of the UP Rudras, a seasoned forward of the national team and a two-time Olympic Bronze medallist, credited the HIL for shaping his early career and providing the opportunity to fight for his place on the national team.

"When the league was introduced, it was a huge platform for Indian players. It offered us a chance to showcase our talent and directly make it to the squad," Lalit remarked.

He highlighted the financial and professional support the league has provided, noting its instrumental role in elevating the sport’s profile. "It gave us the experience of playing with legends we had only seen on TV. Sharing the field with such icons boosted our confidence and made us more comfortable in competitive scenarios. India’s performance graph went up after the first HIL, and with the league returning now, I am sure it will take us to the top and help us stay there."