A dash of Sardar, a dash of Manpreet: The evolution of Rajinder Singh in India’s midfield

If Indian hockey ever wanted to build a prototype of the ideal modern midfielder, Sardar Singh would be an obvious choice. During his illustrious playing career, the Indian legend set the benchmark for prowess, versatility and ability to dictate play from the middle of the park.

A crushing presence in the midfield, Sardar was known for his ability to switch between attack and defense effortlessly. He was able to break up opposition moves, carry the ball forward and create opportunities for his attackers, often making difficult looks ridiculously easy.

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Ever since he burst onto the scene, Indian hockey has seen several midfielders try to match the standards he set. Manpreet Singh has become the link in India’s midfield, while Hardik Singh, heir to Sardar’s No.8 jersey, has been at the heart of the team’s recent success.

And now there is Rajinder Singh, a 24-year-old from the same village as Sardar, who could be the next name to carry that midfield legacy forward.

Rajinder is a shy person when it comes to expressing himself. So much so that when we called him for a chat, it was his teammates who burst into cheers first. They saw that one of them was finally getting recognition for the work he was doing in the field.

His breakthrough came at the Asia Cup in Rajgir last year. It was his first international tournament but his performances did not suggest that he is the new kid on the block.

There was a maturity to his playing that was beyond his years. India coach Craig Fulton described him as a ‘bundle of energy’, someone who is always ready to showcase his versatility and contribute at both ends of the pitch.

When India needed a replacement for the injured Manpreet during the Asian Champions Trophy, they turned to Rajinder. It was a considerable responsibility, but the youngster responded with energy, discipline and an impressive understanding of his role.

WHAT MAKES RAJINDER STAND OUT

During the league phase of the Asian Champions Trophy, Rajinder was often seen mirroring several aspects of Manpreet’s game. The former Indian captain once described himself as a potato, something that could be used in any meal to make it better. It is perhaps an apt description of the versatility required in this role.

Fulton used Manpreet in a variety of positions, sometimes deploying him as a defender and on other occasions as an attacking midfielder. However, his biggest responsibility has often been to act as the conductor of India’s midfield. This time, this responsibility was given to Rajinder.

The 24-year-old has shown an excellent understanding of when to drop back and help his defence. The moment he senses danger behind him, he is ready to drop deep and provide cover. However, once India regains possession, they switch quickly, bringing the ball forward and linking up with the forwards.

Its contribution is not limited to open play either. When it comes to defending penalty corners, Rajinder has brought the same intensity and energy as the first player. This was particularly evident against Malaysia and Korea, where he did well to reduce angles and prevent opposition penalty corners from becoming much of a threat.

He also showed the intelligence in the final third to make himself available without taking away chances from his attackers. He understands when to run, when to hold position and when to drop the ball.

So far, India doesn’t seem to miss Manpreet’s presence in the role. Much of Rajinder’s confidence comes from learning directly from the former India captain during training sessions.

“Manpreet bhai is a living legend. He is India’s most played player. So I don’t know if I can match him or not but I try to learn from him in every match and every practice. I ask him a lot of things and how can I further improve my game. These things help me a lot day by day. So I think I will continue to do that and try to perform as well for the team,” said Rajinder.

SARDAR AS A MODEL

There is one particular phase of his life that Rajinder holds close to his heart. It was a time when he learned from Sardar in their native village of Sirsa, Haryana.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sardar returned to the village and conducted training sessions for the young players. Rajinder was one of those who got the opportunity to train under the Indian legend, learning valuable lessons along the way.

“I started playing after watching Sardar Singh as he used to come to our village, especially for training sessions. During the COVID period, when I was free, he used to come and conduct sessions. That period was very good for me and I learned a lot from him,” said Rajinder.

However, when it comes to his own style of play, Rajinder knows that replicating someone like Sardar is a tough task. Rather than trying to become a copy of the legend, he wants to build his own identity.

“In terms of style, I think it’s quite difficult to become like them. I can only try to do everything I do with perfection. I try to follow everything, down to the last detail, whether it’s our game strategy or whatever plan we have. I try to play according to it,” said Rajinder.

HUNGER FOR GOALS

There is another dimension to Rajinder’s game that has yet to be fully unlocked: his sense of goal.

Against Malaysia, the midfielder showed some promising runs that troubled the opposition defence. However, a poor finishing touch or momentary hesitation prevented him from making the most of these opportunities.

It’s an area Fulton wants the youngster to improve on. The India coach believes Rajinder has a lot more to offer in the final third, especially when it comes to scoring goals and creating opportunities for his teammates.

“He’s really focused on getting more balls in the press. That’s where he can make a big improvement and he’s doing a really good job. But he’s also connecting up front and getting results on D. He can score more goals and provide more assists,” Fulton said.

Rajinder realizes the need to add that attacking edge to his game. In fact, the missed opportunity against Malaysia only strengthened his determination to make another one count.

“I will go back and see what I could have done better in situations. So that if I get another chance in the upcoming matches, I will definitely score. I love to score goals and provide assists,” said Rajinder.

India is heading for a major transition ahead of the 2028 Olympics, with several established players potentially making way for a new generation. New faces will have to step in, take responsibility and ensure the team’s standards don’t drop.

Rajinder seems to be one of those players who is ready to take up the challenge.

He still has a long way to go before he can be mentioned in the same breath as Sardar or Manpreet. But early signs are encouraging. With his work rate, versatility and willingness to learn, Rajinder could become the new engine of an Indian midfield that is hungry for more success.

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