~ Prince Deep Singh and David Harte will characteristic for Tamil Nadu Dragons ~
New Delhi, 18 December 2025: Contemporary from a powerful displaying on the FIH Hockey Males’s Junior World Cup, the place he performed a pivotal position in India’s bronze medal end, younger goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh is heading into the Hero Hockey India League (Hero HIL) 2026 brimming with confidence. The Tamil Nadu Dragons participant was one among India’s standout performers in the course of the event, producing decisive saves in a shootout within the quarterfinals in opposition to Belgium and following it up with constant performances throughout matches, moments which have strengthened his perception forward of the upcoming league.
Reflecting on the influence of the FIH Males’s Junior Hockey World Cup on his mindset, Prince Deep mentioned, “I’m way more assured now after this event as a result of I performed properly in entrance of such a giant residence crowd. After I used to make saves, the followers cheered me quite a bit and it was an amazing motivation for me.”
“Throughout the shootout, once I noticed so many followers behind me within the stadium, I informed myself that I’ve to cease the ball for them. After I saved the fourth shootout, there was lots of noise once more and my confidence went even larger. When the fifth one got here, I believed that I might cease it, and it turned a double-save. That second was one of the best for me and it went viral as properly,” Prince Deep recalled.
As he prepares for the Hero HIL, Prince Deep will as soon as once more be a part of the Tamil Nadu Dragons setup alongside legendary Irish goalkeeper David Harte, with whom he shared the dressing room final season as properly. Talking in regards to the affect David Harte had on his growth final season, Prince Deep defined, “He’s like one of many world’s greatest goalkeepers. He taught me find out how to deal with strain, which is a very powerful factor for us. Earlier, I used to fall very quick and commit early, however he informed me to remain on my ft and react on the final second. Taking part in and practising with such a giant participant will assist me quite a bit and I’m trying ahead to studying extra from him.”
The younger goalkeeper additionally highlighted how observing Harte carefully throughout coaching helped him sharpen his fundamentals and decision-making. “I used to look at him from behind throughout apply, to see what he does at totally different moments. He informed me that in penalty corners you need to keep relaxed and maintain your self cool as a result of there may be a lot strain. He all the time mentioned that negativity must be saved out of the bottom and it’s best to solely concentrate on what you’re doing inside the sector,” Prince Deep mentioned.
Since final season, Prince Deep believes he has come a good distance, by way of constant publicity on the worldwide stage and prolonged time in nationwide camps below the steering of former Indian goalkeeper and the present head coach of the lads’s junior crew, PR Sreejesh. Aside from all of the coaching and worldwide excursions, this yr Sreejesh guided Prince Deep to medals in two main worldwide tournaments – a silver medal within the Sultan of Johor Cup and a bronze within the current Junior World Cup.
“There’s lots of change in my sport now. Earlier, I used to be slightly scared throughout matches, however now I’m very totally different. My final two tournaments went properly. In coaching, coach sir (Sreejesh) all the time taught me to not focus an excessive amount of on the end result, however to play easy, make fundamental saves, talk extra on the sector, and keep linked with the sport,” he defined.
Each Sreejesh and David Harte are legendary figures in world hockey and have shared the world stage for years, clashing within the greatest competitions, and have even performed collectively in the course of the early seasons of the Hockey India League again in 2014. Having skilled below each, Prince Deep identified the similarities of their sport and mentioned, “Each of them have taught me find out how to deal with strain and management myself. They all the time say that no matter resolution you are taking, take it with full conviction. Should you concede a aim, don’t lose confidence, overlook it shortly and take into consideration the subsequent motion. They each focus quite a bit on decision-making, defensive form and staying calm.”
Turning his consideration to Tamil Nadu Dragons, Prince Deep acknowledged the frustration of falling brief within the semi-finals final season however sounded optimistic in regards to the squad heading into the brand new marketing campaign. “Final time, we made a number of errors and we’ll work on that this season. A lot of the crew is similar and our camp begins quickly. Now we have a very good stability within the squad and everybody is concentrated on enhancing from final yr,” he said.
With the Hero Hockey India League set to get underway quickly, Prince Deep believes the competitors and familiarity with opponents will add to the thrill since his teammates from the Junior World Cup will now be taking pictures in opposition to him this time round. “I understand how many of those gamers play, their strengths and weaknesses, so it is going to be enjoyable competing in opposition to them within the league. It’s going to be a really thrilling season,” he concluded on an amusing notice.
The Hero Males’s Hockey India League 2026 will start on third January 2026, as Tamil Nadu Dragons will kick off the event in opposition to Hyderabad Toofans in entrance of residence followers in Chennai.
All matches of the Hero Hockey India League will probably be broadcast reside on Sony Sports activities Ten 1, Sony Sports activities Ten 3 and DD Sports activities. The matches will even be live-streamed on Waves and the Hockey India League YouTube channel.
