India’s junior World Cup bronze hero Prince Deep Singh enters Hockey India League 2026 brimming with confidence and ambition
New Delhi
Fresh from an impressive showing at the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup, young Indian goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh is set to begin his Hockey India League (HIL) 2026 campaign with renewed belief and momentum. Having played a crucial role in India’s bronze medal-winning run, the Tamil Nadu Dragons custodian emerged as one of the standout performers of the tournament, earning praise for his composure, reflexes, and match-defining saves.
Prince Deep’s performances were particularly memorable during the high-pressure quarterfinal shootout against Belgium, where his timely interventions proved decisive in keeping India’s medal hopes alive. Throughout the competition, he displayed remarkable consistency, maturity beyond his years, and the ability to rise to big occasions, attributes that have significantly boosted his confidence ahead of the upcoming HIL season.
Reflecting on the impact of the Junior World Cup on his mindset, Prince Deep said the experience of playing in front of a passionate home crowd made a huge difference. He noted that every save was met with loud cheers, which served as powerful motivation and helped him settle into high-pressure situations. The young goalkeeper recalled the shootout against Belgium as a defining moment, explaining how the presence of thousands of fans behind him inspired him to push himself further. After saving the fourth attempt, his confidence soared, and he went on to pull off a dramatic double-save on the fifth, a moment that quickly went viral and became one of the highlights of the tournament.
As he prepares for HIL 2026, Prince Deep will once again turn out for the Tamil Nadu Dragons, where he will share goalkeeping duties with legendary Irish goalkeeper David Harte. The opportunity to train and play alongside Harte is something Prince Deep values deeply, having already benefited from the veteran’s guidance last season.
