ubet63 Abhishek Nain Exclusive: Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers Forward On HIL Title Win, Teammates And Future

Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers players Sukhjeet Singh and Abhishek Nain (R). Photo: Instagram/Sukhjeet Singh Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers players Sukhjeet Singh and Abhishek Nain (R). Photo: Instagram/Sukhjeet Singh

Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers emerged as the champions of the Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25, capping off a season filled with highs and lows. One of the key figures in their triumphant campaign was Abhishek Nain, the second-most expensive player of the season. (More Hockey News)

The Olympic medallist shared insights into the team’s journey, his personal experiences and future aspirations for Indian hockey during a conversation with Outlook India.

A Team Like Family

From the very beginning, Bengal Tigers showcased exceptional teamwork and camaraderie. Abhishek emphasized that the team environment was more like a family, where players from different backgrounds - foreign internationals, young Indian talents, current national team members, and even retired stars - bonded seamlessly.

“The communication between the players was nice. Everyone was very supportive, not just on the field but off the field as well,” Abhishek said.

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The Tigers experienced both winning and losing streaks but stayed united throughout the season. Their ability to maintain composure and keep an open communication channel ultimately played a crucial role in their success.

Jugraj And Rupinder Pal: The Driving Forces

Two key players in the Bengal Tigers’ success were Jugraj Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh, both of whom played a vital role in penalty corner conversions. Abhishek highlighted their dedication and strategic approach to the game.

Bengal Tigers defeated Hyderabad Toofans 4-3 in the HIL 2024-25 final where Jugraj Singh scored a hat-trick of goals to help his team win the title.

“We used to have meetings before the game and give Jugraj 3-4 trials because his drives have immense force. He has the ability to score, so he was given the chance. Then we used to try variations,” Nain explained.

He also praised Rupinder Pal Singh’s vast experience, which helped in planning and executing strategies against opponents. “Him and Jugraj used to discuss plans before the match on whom to target. The coach also played a role in deciding who would take the penalty corners. Our strategies before the match worked, and Jugraj performed well under pressure.”

“The final was really intense; the Chinese were breathing down our necks throughout the game and made it really difficult for us to create a clear goal scoring chance,” Harmanpreet said in a Hockey India release.

On Tuesday, deep inside Chinese Mongolia, the Harmanpreet Singh-led Men in Blue did just about enough to beat a spirited Chinese side. The occasion: the final of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024.

Handling The Price Tag Pressure

Being the second-most expensive player in the HIL 2024-25, Abhishek was bought for INR 72 lakh by the Bengal franchise. However, he remained unfazed by the price tag and stayed focused on his game.

“When I was bought at such a big price, it felt good, but there was no pressure on me. I needed to do my job, and I have done well so far. I am happy with my performance,” he stated.

Dreaming Big For Indian Hockey

As an Olympic medallist and a key member of India’s gold-winning squads at the 2022 Asian Games and 2024 Asian Champions Trophy, Abhishek remains committed to bringing back the golden era of Indian hockey.

“Future plans for the national setup are simple. We want to win gold medals on big stages and bring back the glory of Indian hockey. And it will happen,” he asserted.

He believes that the Hockey India League plays a significant role in grooming young talents by giving them opportunities to play alongside established stars, ultimately strengthening Indian hockey.

Personal Performance And Team Success

Despite contributing to the team’s success, Abhishek admitted that he expected more from himself in terms of goal-scoring.

“I am happy with the team’s performance, but personally, I wanted to score more goals. Though I have assisted in some goals and created penalty corners, the number of goals is not as high as I wanted,” he reflected.

With Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers lifting the HIL trophyubet63, Abhishek and his teammates have left an indelible mark on the league.