As Indian hockey enters a new phase of its long-term rebuild towards the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic cycle, one name has quietly but decisively risen to the forefront: Sanjay Rana.
At 24, the defender from Hisar has been handed the captaincy for the 2025 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup (SASC) a significant leadership test and a clear signal of where India is headed strategically. For a player who made his senior debut only in 2022, Sanjay’s ascent has been rapid. With 70 international caps and five goals already, he represents the ideal modern defender: structurally sound at the back, intelligent in his positioning, and crucially for India a reliable secondary drag-flick specialist behind Harmanpreet Singh. His appointment as captain for the SASC is not just a reward for form but a deliberate step in India’s player development pathway.
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Head Coach Craig Fulton has made his intentions clear. With senior stars like Harmanpreet Singh and first-choice goalkeepers rested after a demanding Olympic cycle, India’s squad for the SASC is intentionally youthful. The goal is not short-term glory but testing the next line of leaders under tournament pressure.
India has not won the SASC outright since 2010 (the title was shared with Korea), and while the drought adds historical weight, Fulton’s objectives focus on structure, discipline, and evolution. Sanjay, therefore, steps into a demanding role responsible for ensuring defensive stability while guiding a team eager to prove itself. The reasoning behind Sanjay’s elevation is rooted in India’s long-term requirement: building depth and forging a robust penalty corner battery. With the global game increasingly driven by set-piece efficiency, Sanjay’s ability to complement Harmanpreet has become a defining asset for the national team.
From Hisar to Hockey’s High Table
Sanjay’s story is one shaped by resilience. Born in Dabra, near Hisar, he entered hockey at age seven, inspired by his cousins. Financial challenges meant he often borrowed sticks, but this adversity embedded the determination that would define his early career. His entry into the Chandigarh Hockey Academy in 2011 marked the beginning of structured development. Six demanding years there sharpened his defensive instincts and shaped his understanding of tactical systems. Following his graduation from Chandigarh University, Sanjay’s rise accelerated.
A turning point came after his standout performance at the 2021 Junior World Cup, where he finished as India’s top scorer with eight goals despite playing as a defender. Yet a senior call-up did not arrive immediately. Recognizing the need for greater visibility and competition, Sanjay made a bold domestic switch from Chandigarh to Hockey Haryana intentionally putting himself under tougher selection scrutiny. His objective was straightforward: eliminate all doubts in selectors’ minds.
The approach worked. Included among the 60 probables in 2022, he soon broke into the core group of 33, marking his entry into the senior elite pathway.
Junior Excellence as a Predictor of Leadership
Across his junior years, Sanjay’s record reveals a natural leader. With 23 U-21 caps and 13 goals, he maintained a rare scoring rate for a defender. He captained India to the School Asia Cup title in 2017 and served as vice-captain during the 2018 Youth Olympics, where India won silver. This ability to perform consistently at high stakes and lead from the back—aligned perfectly with India’s long-term leadership needs. It also built a foundation for his senior responsibilities.
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What sets Sanjay apart today is his sophistication in two critical dimensions: defensive command and penalty corner execution. Defensively, he demonstrates exceptional man-to-man marking, strong tackling technique, and an instinctive reading of danger. His positional maturity is frequently cited by coaches, who highlight his calm decision-making even under heavy pressure.
As a drag-flicker, he brings a powerful, accurate execution that gives India a crucial second option in set pieces. Following the retirement of Rupinder Pal Singh after Tokyo 2020, this role assumed immense importance. Sanjay’s emergence ensures India no longer relies solely on Harmanpreet, giving the team depth and unpredictability.
Olympic Validation and National Recognition
Sanjay’s selection for the 2024 Paris Olympics as the youngest and least experienced member underscored the coaching staff’s faith in him. Many expected Jugraj Singh to be picked, but Sanjay’s technical precision in trials and adaptability under pressure tipped the balance. India won a bronze medal in Paris, and Sanjay’s presence improved the team’s PC structure and defensive flexibility. In early 2025, he was honoured with the Arjuna Award, marking his arrival as a major national sporting figure.
The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup offers Sanjay his most demanding test yet. Leading a young squad against quality international opponents, he must manage the defensive structure, shape the team’s decision-making under pressure, and execute set-piece strategy without Harmanpreet. His handling of peers especially fellow drag-flicker Jugraj Singh will be viewed closely. Leadership in a competitive squad requires emotional intelligence as much as tactical clarity.
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If Sanjay delivers a disciplined campaign for India at Ipoh, he will position himself firmly as a long-term pillar of India’s leadership group. The 2026 World Cup and the LA 2028 Olympics are natural targets for a player of his pedigree and trajectory.
From borrowing sticks in Hisar to captaining India on the international stage, Sanjay Rana represents a new generation of Indian hockey resilient, technically sharp, and ready for responsibility. His SASC captaincy is not just an experiment; it is a strategic investment in the country’s hockey future.
