New Indian Express: Going from outcast to top buy in 15 months

By Ravi Iyer

CHENNAI: This may just be the fillip Gurbaj Singh needed to re-enter the India fold. Having represented Delhi Waveriders in the first three editions of Hockey India League, the Punjab lad will turn up for Ranchi Rays, 2015 champs, for the fifth edition. This, after becoming the most expensive buy at the 2017 auctions in New Delhi on Wednesday. The experienced midfielder was first to be sold, for a whopping $99,000.

Gurbaj has been out of the national set-up ever since being suspended for nine months by Hockey India in August 2015 on charges of indulging in groupism and creating disharmony in the team, during the Hockey World League Semifinals in Antwerp, Belgium. The suspension kept him out of the Rio Olympics.

Pleased to have attracted the highest bid, Gurbaj reiterated his aim to once again don the national colours. “I’m very happy to have been bought by Ranchi for such a high amount, and it makes me feel good that I am so sought after. The target has always been to get back my spot in the national team. Despite being away from the senior squad, I’ve been busy playing in domestic tournaments and also in the Malaysian league. I know I’m ready for the HIL, and hope to do my best and show that I am still capable of playing for my nation,” the 28-year-old told Express from Jalandhar.

Missing out on Rio and a subsequent win at the 4th Men’s Asian Champions Trophy was a difficult pill to swallow, but Gurbaj says this has made him a stronger player and human. “The incident was not a happy phase of my career, but I’ve put that behind and want to move on. What I can say is that such difficult situations come in everyone’s life, and rather than run away, you should be willing to face it. It helps you prepare for the worst not only in life, but also on-field.”

Gurbaj believes Ranchi has a good squad and can challenge for the title. “It is a good mix of youth and experience. I’ve already played with the likes of (Birendra) Lakra, Manpreet (Singh) and Kothajit (Singh), so it won’t be difficult to get an understanding going. I’ve also played against Ashley (Jackson, Rays’ skipper), so we’ll have no problems there either. I’m sure we’ll win the title,” he concluded.