New Delhi, August 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian men’s hockey defender Amit Rohidas and midfielder Rajinder Singh achieved significant international milestones during India’s 7th/8th-place classification match against Belgium at the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026 on Friday.
Rohidas earned his 250th international cap for India, while Rajinder completed 50 appearances for the national team.
The experienced defender from Sundergarh, Odisha, who plays the crucial role of first rusher in India’s penalty-corner defence, made his international debut at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia, in 2013.
Since then, Rohidas has emerged as one of the most experienced players in India’s current squad. He was part of the bronze medal-winning teams at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games and served as India’s vice-captain at the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023.
“It feels incredible to reach 250 caps for my country. Every time I step on the field in the India jersey, I carry the pride of my team, my family and everyone back home who has supported me,” Rohidas said.
“I want to thank Hockey India, my coaches and my teammates for their constant belief, and I hope to keep contributing to the team for as long as I can,” he added.
Rajinder, who hails from Sant Nagar in Haryana’s Sirsa district and trains at the Namdhari Sports Academy, made his senior India debut against Germany in October 2024.
A product of India’s junior pathway, he was part of the Indian team that won gold at the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2023 and helped the side finish fourth at the 2023 FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup. He was subsequently named among India’s World Cup debutants for the 2026 edition.
“Reaching 50 caps this early in my career means a lot to me. It has been a fast couple of years, and I owe a lot of it to the support of my senior teammates and the coaching staff,” Rajinder said.
“I want to keep learning and keep improving so I can give more to this team,” he added.
Hockey India President Dr Dilip Tirkey congratulated both players, describing Rohidas as the backbone of India’s defence for more than a decade and highlighting Rajinder’s emergence on the international stage.
Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh also praised the duo, saying their milestones reflected their dedication and contribution to Indian hockey.
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