For Aditya Lalage, the road back to the Indian men’s hockey set-up has been as much about patience as performance.
From the training grounds of Pune’s Krida Prabodhini to international test matches against Germany, his career has already travelled a remarkable arc and now, at 22, he feels ready for its next defining chapter.
Selected for the 33-member Senior Men’s National Coaching Camp in Rourkela, Lalage has returned to the national fold ahead of the FIH Men’s Pro League 2025–26, where India will face elite opposition in Argentina and Belgium. For the fast, skilful forward, the call-up is more than a reward it is an opportunity to prove how much he has evolved.
“I see this not just as a selection but as a responsibility,” Lalage says. “In the last two years, I worked a lot on my game. Now I want to show that growth.”
Learning through distance
Lalage made his senior India debut against Germany in the 2024 Test series, a major milestone for any young forward. But his journey since then has been one of grinding improvement rather than instant stardom. During his time away from the senior team, he used every opportunity to learn observing experienced internationals, asking questions, and focusing on what would make him more dangerous in the attacking circle.
“In these two years, I learned by watching the seniors and asking them where I needed to improve,” Lalage explains. “I focused more on attacking especially goal scoring inside the D. We had separate striker sessions and I worked hard on that.”
That clarity has helped him sharpen the one area modern international hockey demands most from forwards: end-product.
A dream born in a cinema hall
Like many young Indian hockey players, Lalage’s first spark came not on turf, but on a screen. As a second-standard student, he watched Chak De! India and was captivated by the emotion, unity and pressure of the final match.
“I watched the whole movie and felt, ‘I also want to play for India,’” he recalls. “My favourite scene was when the forwards finally passed the ball to each other to score the winning goal. That teamwork touched me. That was the moment I decided I have to play hockey.”
His athleticism was first noticed in the 800m run, earning him selection into Pune’s Krida Prabodhini, but he chose hockey over other sports. Under the guidance of Olympian Ajit Lakra, his raw speed was moulded into structured attacking intelligence.
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That journey soon led to international success including gold medals at the FIH Junior Asia Cup in Oman and the FIH Junior World Cup in Kuala Lumpur in 2023, where Lalage was part of India’s title-winning squad.
Lessons from the Hero Hockey India League
The Hero Hockey India League (HIL) became another key classroom in Lalage’s development. Representing SG Pipers, he shared the field and dressing room with elite international players learning how the world’s best think, train, and recover from mistakes.
“I spoke to Tomas Domene from Argentina,” Lalage says. “He told me, ‘Your speed is good, your skill is good. If you go inside the D, create penalty corners and take shots, you will score more.’ That really stayed with me.” Beyond tactics, it was the mindset that impressed him most.
“They don’t carry mistakes with them. If something goes wrong, they reset and go again. That’s something I’ve learned.”
Carrying Maharashtra’s legacy
Coming from Maharashtra, Lalage is acutely aware of the history he inherits from Dhanraj Pillay to the Walmiki brothers. He grew up idolising Pillay and attended camps organised by Yuvraj and Devindar Walmiki, absorbing lessons about handling pressure and staying grounded.
Today, inside the senior camp, he finds mentorship from established internationals like Abhishek. “He always tells me, ‘Don’t take tension. Play freely,’” Lalage says. “That support is huge.”
Ready for Rourkela
As India prepares to face Belgium and Argentina in Rourkela, Lalage knows exactly what is expected of him.
“For me, the message from the coach is clear use my speed, carry the ball into the D, win penalty corners, take shots,” he says. “Whether it’s attacking or defending, I have to give my 100% in every match for the team.”
It is a simple philosophy, but one forged through years of learning, waiting, and growing.
Now, with another chance on the international stage, Aditya Lalage is ready to make it count.
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