A third generation player from a hockey family, all that young Indian striker and dragflicker Araijeet Singh Hundal has aspired is to fulfil his father's dream of representing the nation.
Hundal succeeded in his endeavour last year and has now emerged as one of the best young players in the country after a successful stint in the recently-concluded Hockey India League (HIL).
Hundal made his senior India debut last year and so far has bagged 20 caps, scoring five goals in his nascent career. He made his senior team debut at the FIH Hockey Pro League 2023-24 and scored some important goals off dragflicks. Hundal also scored in India's comeback win against the Netherlands in the Junior World Cup in December 2023.
But what drives Hundal is the satisfaction that he is finally able to fulfill his father's unfulfilled dream. His father and three uncles are all national-level hockey players but couldn't make the final push and play at the international level.
I knew only one sport from my childhood and that is hockey. There is nothing else discussed in our home. My grandfather started hockey in our village, Pakhar Pura in Amritsar, by preparing a hockey ground. My father and his three brothers played hockey till the Nationals. My father Kuljit Singh, in fact, got selected for the national camp in 1999 but couldn't make it to the team.
My father was my first coach. Because of hockey he got a job in Railways and used to play for them. He’d take me to watch his matches, which increased my interest. But he was always upset that he couldn't represent the country. That inspired him to motivate me and work with me so that I could wear the national jersey. And I am happy that I could fulfill his dream.
Besides the Asia Champions Trophy title, Hundal also has two gold medals in 2023 and 2024 editions of the Junior Asia Cup. He recently made his debut in the revamped Hockey India League (HIL), which was revived after seven long years, representing Team Gonasika of Visakhapatnam, which finished at the penultimate position in the eight-team tournament.
HIL was a great experience for me as it was my first. Earlier, I used to watch HIL and dream about playing in the league. It has been fulfilled now. I have learned a lot from sharing the dressing room and playing against top players of the world and I hope this will be beneficial for me in future.
Asked about his future aspirations, Hundal said his immediate goal is to get into the Indian team for the next Asian Games and World Cup in 2026.
I hope to represent India at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan and the World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands. I will work hard and do everything in my capability to be a part of the sides.
Besides being a lanky forward, Hundal is a potent drag-flicker, very uncommon among strikers.
I tried penalty corner just for fun but started liking it. Then I started watching videos and polished my skills. I like making penalty corners and then converting them.
