Prince Deep Singh Gears Up for HIL 2026 After Stellar World Cup
New Delhi, Dec 18 (digihunt) Following an outstanding performance at the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup, where he played a vital role in India’s bronze medal triumph, young goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh is entering the Hockey India League (HIL) 2026 with renewed confidence. The Tamil Nadu Dragons goalkeeper was instrumental during the tournament, making key saves in the shootout against Belgium in the quarterfinals and showcasing a steady performance throughout the event.
Confidence Boost from the World Cup
Reflecting on how the FIH Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup has shaped his mindset, Prince Deep stated, “I am much more confident now after this tournament because I played well in front of such a big home crowd. When I used to make saves, the fans cheered me a lot and it was a great motivation for me.”
He added, “During the shootout, when I saw so many fans behind me in the stadium, I told myself that I have to stop the ball for them. After I saved the fourth shootout, there was a lot of noise again and my confidence went even higher. When the fifth one came, I believed that I would stop it, and it became a double-save. That moment was the best for me and it went viral as well.”
Rejoining the Tamil Nadu Dragons
As he prepares for the HIL, Prince Deep will reunite with the Tamil Nadu Dragons, playing alongside the legendary Irish goalkeeper David Harte, who was also his teammate last season. Talking about Harte’s influence on his growth, Prince Deep explained, “He is like one of the world’s best goalkeepers. He taught me how to handle pressure, which is the most important thing for us. Earlier, I used to fall very fast and commit early, but he told me to stay on my feet and react at the last moment. Playing and practising with such a big player will help me a lot and I am looking forward to learning more from him.”
Learning from a Legend
The young goalkeeper highlighted how observing Harte closely during training helped him refine his fundamentals and decision-making skills. “I used to watch him from behind during practice, to see what he does at different moments. He told me that during penalty corners you have to stay relaxed and keep yourself cool because there is so much pressure. He always said that negativity has to be kept out of the ground and you should only focus on what you are doing inside the field,” Prince Deep said.
Since last season, he feels he has made significant strides, attributing his growth to regular exposure at the international level and extensive training under PR Sreejesh, the former Indian goalkeeper and current head coach of the men’s junior team. Sreejesh also helped him secure medals in two major tournaments—a silver at the Sultan of Johor Cup and a bronze at the recent Junior World Cup.
Focus on Improvement
“There is a lot of change in my game now. Earlier, I was a little scared during matches, but now I am very different. My last two tournaments went well. In training, coach sir (Sreejesh) always taught me to not focus too much on the result, but to play simple, make basic saves, communicate more on the field, and stay connected with the game,” Prince Deep explained.
Both Sreejesh and David Harte are iconic figures in international hockey, having competed against each other in major tournaments and played together in the early seasons of the Hockey India League in 2014. Reflecting on his training under both, Prince Deep noted their similarities in approach, stating, “Both of them have taught me how to handle pressure and control myself. They always say that whatever decision you take, take it with full conviction. If you concede a goal, don’t lose confidence; forget it quickly and think about the next action. They both focus a lot on decision-making, defensive shape and staying calm.”
Looking Ahead to HIL 2026
Addressing the Tamil Nadu Dragons, Prince Deep expressed regret over their semi-final loss last season but remains hopeful about the upcoming campaign. “Last time, we made a few mistakes and we will work on that this season. Most of the team is the same and our camp starts soon. We have a good balance in the squad, and everyone is focused on improving from last year,” he stated.
As the Hockey India League approaches, Prince Deep anticipates the competition will heighten the excitement, especially since his Junior World Cup teammates will now be his opponents. “I know how many of these players play and their strengths and weaknesses, so it will be fun competing against them in the league. It’s going to be a very exciting season,” he concluded.
The Men’s Hockey India League 2026 starts on January 3rd, with Tamil Nadu Dragons hosting Hyderabad Toofans in Chennai for their opening match.
–digihunt
vi/bc