Venkatesh kenche

Junior National Camp: The India 'A' men's hockey team is off to a flying start, registering back-to-back wins - 6-1 and 6-0 - against Ireland to open their eight-match European tour. Among the standout performers is forward Venkatesh Kenche, a rising talent known for his blistering ball speed and relentless attacking mindset, who is determined to make the most of this opportunity.

After earlier stints at the Junior National Camp in 2016 and 2018, Kenche has made a spirited return to the India setup. He credits this breakthrough to consistent performances on the domestic circuit.

"I have been training and practicing very hard. It has been my goal to play for India," he said. "I focused a lot on my basics and fitness, and that has really helped my game. The domestic circuit is very competitive, with many strong teams, which has pushed all of us to improve."