Shivendra Singh: A star on big event

The 29-year-old is the most famous product of the erstwhile Premier Hockey League

(PHL). Even though Shivendra had picked up the hockey stick much earlier, it was

the 2006 edition of the PHL that finally forced Indian selectors to draft him into

the national side, and he has proved his worth ever since.

In fact, he is one of the few players in this side who did not play for India in

the age-group categories and made his entry directly into the senior national

side.

Even though he came into the limelight belatedly, he has gone on to become the

darling of the crowd. With his trademark headband and military salute every time

after scoring, the stylish striker is a simple player who believes in giving his

best and his happiest on the field.

Born in Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, Shivendra had to struggle a lot before reaching

this level. He started his basic training at the MP Sports Academy in Bhopal

before honing his skills at the SAI Sports Hostel in Mumbai, where he was trained

by coach SP Singh. He represented Mumbai in the 1998 Sub junior national

championships and joined Western Railways five years later where he was coached by

Gurbux Singh.

The closest he came to breaking into a national squad was in 2003, when he was

included in the training camp for the Poznan junior Challenge Cup in 2003 but was

not shortlisted. Named the best player at the Bombay Gold Cup in 2003 and 2005,

the then 23-year-old striker finally made people sit up and take note of his

talent with his two goals for Maratha Warriors in the 2006 PHL and, more

importantly, the manner in which they were scored.

He earned his Indian colours soon after, making his debut in the Pakistan series,

and has been a regular fixture in the Indian side since then. He also joined Air

India after making the national squad. Shivendra married his long-time sweetheart

Nishi Chauhan – herself a hockey player for Western Railways – last year.