Five current India senior team players who featured in FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup

Several of India’s current senior team stars were part of the team that won the Jr. World Cup in 2016.

The Indian junior men’s hockey team advanced to the semi-finals of the ongoing FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025, edging past Belgium on penalties after a dramatic quarter-final clash on Friday.

India, who are two-time previous winners of the competition, will next play seven-time winners and reigning champions Germany in semis on Sunday.

Led by centre-back Rohit, the Indian junior men’s hockey team have gone undefeated so far in the tournament, making it to the final four stage with comfortable and big wins over Chile, Oman and Switzerland before seeing past Belgium.

𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫! 🇮🇳🔥From a 2–2 draw to a nerve-wracking shootout, India held their composure and booked a semi-final spot at the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu 2025! 🏑Watch the tackles, goals, and key moments that made this… pic.twitter.com/EANtERxOyq

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 5, 2025

Now as the future PR Sreejesh and Harmanpreet Singh take the field with an aim to lift India to its first Junior World Cup final since 2016, let us a look at the current big-name superstars who once graced this very stage.

Many current senior Indian players also represented the country in the Junior Hockey World Cup. With their consistent performances in the junior tournaments, they fast-tracked themselves to the national team.

Let’s take a look at the five players who played for India in the marquee event in the past.

Indian hockey stars who once excelled at FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup

#1 Harmanpreet Singh

Harmanpreet Singh emerged as the Player of the Tournament after scoring nine goals at the Sultan of Johor Cup 2014, playing a key role in India’s title victory. Then, he was the finest player in the 2015 Men’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup with 14 goals.

After featuring in the Rio Olympics, Harmanpreet represented the nation in the Junior Hockey World Cup 2016. He scored three goals as the side eventually won the final. At present, the world-renowned drag-flicker is the captain of the senior team.

#2 Mandeep Singh

Mandeep impressed with his performance in the 2015 Men’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup. He contributed four goals as the Men in Blue went on to become the champions.

Thereafter, Mandeep Singh was a crucial member of the Indian team in the Junior Hockey World Cup 2016. With three goals, he was the joint-highest goalscorer for the country, and his performances played an important role in helping them emerge as the winner.

The star striker is a key member of the Ranchi Royals in the Hockey India League.

Also Read: FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025: Full schedule, fixtures, results, live streaming details

#3 Gurjant Singh

Gurjant was also part of the Junior Hockey Asia Cup 2015, where he scored two goals and retained his place in the Indian team for the Junior Hockey World Cup 2016.

Gurjant fared well in the showpiece event by scoring two goals and played his part in India’s title victory. He was part of India’s bronze medal-winning squad at the Paris Olympics and will represent JSW Soorma Hockey Club in the Hockey India League’s next edition.

#4 Nilakanta Sharma

Nilakanta got a taste of international competition with his appearance in the Sultan of Johor Cup 2014. The midfielder was then part of the Junior Hockey Asia Cup 2015 as well.

Then, Nilkanta featured in all six games of the Junior Hockey World Cup 2016 and was a silent contributor to India’s championship victory. He is currently part of the Hyderabad Toofans in the HIL.

#5 Sumit Walmiki

Sumit also followed the same path as the above players, featuring in the Sultan of Johor Cup 2014 and Junior Hockey Asia Cup 2015. As a result, he was inducted into the Junior Hockey World Cup 2016 squad as well.

Walmiki will represent the Hyderabad Toofans in the 2025-26 edition of the HIL. 

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