Hardik Singh: "Your Time Will Come"

Growing up surrounded by hockey legends in his own family, Hardik Singh learned early that the sport is both passion and legacy.

“It’s madness to be in the hockey family because whenever there’s a family get together, they only gonna talk about hockey, like past hockey, like the present one. You know what it means, right?” he laughs, sharing anecdotes from his upbringing. This episode dives into how these deep roots—combined with his own drive—have shaped Hardik’s approach to hockey, life and leadership on the field.

At only 26, Hardik is recognized not just as a playmaker in the heart of the Indian national team, but as a symbol of perseverance and transformation on the global hockey stage. A double Olympic medalist and now an inspirational figure for the next generation, Hardik’s journey from humble beginnings to international stardom is marked by resilience, humility, and a quiet hunger for growth—qualities that shone through in his far-reaching conversation with Studio Hockey.

A Family Steeped in Hockey

Born into what he describes as “a madness of hockey family,” Hardik’s earliest memories revolve around the sport. “Whenever there is a family get-together, they only gonna talk about hockey—past hockey, the present one. You know what it means, right?” His grandfather, father, uncles and even aunts played hockey at high levels, including Olympians and drag-flick specialists. Family advice flowed constantly, and while playful friction existedfor Hardik there was only reverence.

Yet, in time, even the student could teach the older guard. “I always tell my dad how hockey is changing… There are so many things going on in hockey. And I always tell him what's the new rule, how the zonal thing works, how the formation thing works.” But no matter how much the game moves forward, in the Singh family, legend and legacy loom large—a reminder that the roots of greatness are deeply personal.

Crushing Setbacks, Renewed Hunger

Hardik’s rise wasn’t without harsh stumbles. As a standout junior, he missed selection for the 2016 Junior World Cup team—a blow, especially as India surged to victory without him. “For sure that was really a hard time for me because I was there for the last two years and then I saw their whole journey… it always hurts you when you train with them but still you didn't make it (to the final squad).” Hardik’s initial response was deeply human: “I'm not going to see any matches because I'm not going to be there.”

But rather than turn bitter, Hardik dug deep and found a new resolve—watching, cheering, finding inspiration in the success of others. “That time was really inspiring for me because the hunger was more.” The early disappointment added steel to his ambition, a trait that would define his career.

On the Brink: A Pivotal Choice in 2017

After another setback—being passed over as a junior—Hardik was ready to abandon his India dream. He considered a move to the Netherlands to play club hockey, but timely intervention came from his uncle, former international Jugraj Singh, who told Hardik: “You don't need to go outside to get some experience… you can be in India, you can be part of some team and show your skills… there's always gonna be the nationals every year where they're gonna take the new guys in the team.”

This advice changed everything for Hardik. “Whenever there's a hard time... there is always the right guy, right guidance will come and I always keep my ears open.” He embraced the process anew, recommitted in India, and was subsequently called up for the senior national team following Sardar Singh’s retirement—a “lucky break,” but one that required him to be present and ready. “If I was not there in India, then I couldn't execute that chance, right? …there's always a reason behind it.”

On the Dream Achieved—And Unfinished Business

Hardik’s trajectory since then is almost cinematic. Within three years of his senior debut, he was standing on the Olympic podium—a feat Indian hockey had not achieved for 41 years and then backed it up in Paris.

“I always believe that I'm going to win the Olympic gold medal and still I'm on the way… we always want to be the gold team in the Olympics, the world champion.” The hunger is still there—impossibly undiminished. “We are not satisfied right now because we know that we can be in the final.”

He remembers vividly India’s legendary 2024 Olympic faceoff with Great Britain, playing more than 40 minutes with just 10 men and ultimately winning in shootouts. “I'm so sorry, GB guys… But I really thought, like, we are not gonna lose that match. To be honest, no team has ever done that.” From anxiety to soaring belief and then victory, Hardik describes a crucible that galvanized his self-belief and that of the team. “We are not going to lose this match,” Hardik narrated the team’s feelings as time progressed. “We really wanted to show, like, we wanted to win. And we are going to make history here right now.”

Lessons from the Elite: The Hockey India League Influence

Central to Hardik’s development, and that of many Indian players, is the Hockey India League (HIL)—which exposes domestic talent to global stars and new ideas. “It was like a dream come true… to be part of the team where Sardar Singh was there and Mark Knowles was there, Simon Orchard, Robert van der Horst.” Lessons went far beyond tactics. “Robert van der Horst, he taught me some family values also, that I always carry with me… Sardar Singh, how professional he was… how he took care of his diet, how he did his stretching, recovery session, how he approached the game.”

Hardik believes HIL, and its recent resurrection, is vital to keep Indian hockey aligned with international standards—especially for young players needing exposure and confidence. “They are not getting any exposure elsewhere, the domestic guys… when you play against and when you have a teammate like those international stars—I guess you really learn a lot.”

Global Ambitions and Dreams of Europe

Still, the allure of playing in Europe remains strong for Hardik, both for cultural and competitive growth. “I always want to go to Europe because I am a hockey nerd and I really want to see the culture in the Netherlands, Belgium… They know their hockey, right? They know the game. And hopefully in the future I will be there for sure.” Yet, wisdom prevails, as host Ernst Baart suggests: “If you do it, go for at least two or three seasons. Don’t go for half a season, go for the full experience because it will take time for you to adjust.”

The Ever-Evolving Game: Tactics, Intelligence, and the Future

Hardik is self-aware about the ongoing evolution of hockey at the highest level. “I think the game has changed a lot. Because back in 2021… we were doing only man to man, we were doing zonal also, but still we were in the attacking mode.” He credits India’s recent progress to coach Craig Fulton and exposure to European models, especially Belgian “zonal” structures. “We were like, they were doing all that stuff back in the 2020 Olympics also and we didn’t know about all this, right?... Like how the fitness thing, how the zonal structure… is changing. I guess in the 2028 Olympics, there're gonna be some more changes also.”

Indian hockey, he says, is now a blend—combining South Asian flair and grit with tactical discipline borrowed from European heavyweights. The learning is ongoing:

“Right now we are in the process of it, but hopefully in the World Cup, we can really show the world.”

Building Foundations at Home: Domestic Leagues and Coaching

Hardik’s pride in Indian hockey’s domestic resurgence is mixed with a call for more. “What hockey India is doing right now, they are doing really, really amazing work… educating the coaches, laying new turfs and all for the kids.” Still, he believes the next leap forward will come from further investment in strong, long-running domestic leagues, as seen in Belgium and the Netherlands, and in developing homegrown coaching expertise.

“For me, it's all about coaching development… So many of the former national-team guys, they are into coaching, they are paying well, right? …It’s our responsibility to take that role and to do the job.”

He favors systematic approaches—an age limit for players, stricter fitness standards—and mentorship, so that the next generation of Indian coaches and players can build and sustain a winning culture.

The Fitness and Mental Frontiers

Fitness in Indian hockey is in a golden era; Hardik is well aware of the team’s reputation. “Hockey is a really intense game… You have a yo-yo score that you have to beat… if you see hockey and you compare it with any other sport… obviously hockey is very intense. Then you have a 15-minute quarter, four parts. So obviously we are more fitter. There's no doubt about that.”

But more than physical power, Hardik is a firm advocate for mental conditioning—a mindset shift solidified by working with renowned sports psychologist Paddy Upton. “For me the most important thing is I'm a human. So I always have a different feeling in different situations. And we really need to tell someone, in our family or somewhere around the world or in our team, right? And when Paddy came, I was like okay, I can talk to him. He knows how the sport thing works.”

By being the first in the squad to open up to Upton, Hardik set a trend that swept through the team. Jaspreet touched on that. “The other players when they saw you talking about your things to Upton and then you sharing it with your fellow players, they also opened up.” It’s a testament to his leadership off the field, forging an environment where players embrace not just personal strength, but collective vulnerability.

Giving Back: Social Responsibility Beyond the Pitch

Hardik’s sense of duty extends beyond hockey. When devastating floods hit Punjab, he acted—helping on the ground, adopting a family, and committing to rebuilding a home. “That was all good. And hats off to you for not just working for the country on the pitch as a sportsman, but also as a responsible citizen, rebuilding lives,” Jaspreet said in recognition of that. It’s a moment that crystallizes his character—the champion in blue, grounded in humanity.

Looking Forward—The Big Dream

As the world gears up for the 2026 World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands, Hardik’s eyes remain resolutely on that and his Olympic dream. “I always believe that I'm gonna be an Olympic medalist, Olympic gold medalist, so hopefully soon.” For a figure who rose from ball-boy to game-changer, from prodigy to pillar, the journey is nothing if not inspiring—every step, as he insists, about loving the process, come what may.

In Hardik’s hands, Indian hockey’s future looks not only bright, but fiercely ambitious. And for young dreamers everywhere, his legacy will be more than medals; it will be the example of a player who lifted those around him—on and off the field—by simply loving the journey and the process...