"Like the double dose of the COVID vaccine" - Commentator Sunil Taneja hopeful of HIL 2.0 to have a "booster effect" on Indian hockey

For the third time in the last two decades, the wheels have been set in motion for a franchise-based Hockey league in the country. The first endeavor — the Premier Hockey League (PHL) — was undertaken in 2005, when the concept was similar to that of internet in the 80s. The second attempt was made in 2013 with the launch of the Hockey India League. Both tournaments barely survived half a decade before going defunct.

Terminating the two aforementioned ventures as 'failures' would be incorrect. But, in a world where the IPL and the Pro-Kabaddi League exist, the success of PHL and HIL can be described as "lukewarm" at best.

While the chequered past is bound to breed apprehensions, pundits believe there are more reasons to be optimistic this time. Popular commentator Sunil Taneja is among those who see the glass as half full. In an exclusive chat with Sportskeeda, he described reasons for being hopeful and his thoughts about the impact that the revamped version of the Hockey India League will have on Indian hockey as a whole.

"When HIL (first edition) started, we were not that big a name in international hockey. India was still trying to re-establish its place." said Taneja, "Now, we have already done that. Two (Olympic) medals have been won."

In his own quirky style, which has helped him garner a place in the hearts of the fans, Taneja compared the anticipated impact of the upcoming league to that of the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

"I guess we already saw a glimpse of its impact when 5 seasons of HIL 1 happened." explained Taneja, "It gave us some players who are still playing for India - Manpreet, Mandeep, Harmanpreet, Amit Rohidas - those who have become double Olympic medallists. So, impact is very much visible."

He further added,

"Now, the league is starting again. I think it would have a booster effect. Just like the double dose of (the COVID-19) vaccine. We have already become a world class team. And now, the grass-root players would get a big stage where they would play with the best players in the world, compete against them. Overall, the ultra-positive impact that we already saw, we should get a second dose of it."

It is hard to predict the league's success until its inaugural season gets underway. However, some trends inspire confidence.

In 2013, four out of the six most expensive players at the HIL auctions were foreigners. In 2024, eight out of the ten costliest buys in the men's auctions have been Indian players. The cap on the number of overseas players in a squad has also been reduced to eight from what was 10 previously. Across the men's and the women's league 192 Indian players have earned a HIL contract — this includes several domestic and junior players, who are relatively unknown.

"I think this is the biggest thing that is achieved through a league." said Taneja, "I remember during HIL-1, Punjab’s young players Varun Kumar, Malak Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh playing alongside Jamie Dwyer (Australian hockey legend). Some young players scoring goals against Nicolas Jacobi (German goalkeeper), dodging Teun de Nooijer (two time Olympic champion) — those 18-20 year old kids. So, your confidence reaches a different level altogether."

Reiterating his expectations of young talent being nurtured in the league, Taneja added:

"We got to know about Uttam Singh or Mohammed Raheel after they wore the Indian jersey. There would be so many such players who we will see in HIL. The challenges for the selectors would increase."

A special 35-day window (December 28 to February 5) has been chalked out for the Hockey India League for the next five years.

"How many parents in this country give their daughters the hockey stick and tell her to play with the hard plastic ball?" - Sunil Taneja speaks about the women's league

Another upgrade over the last edition of the HIL is the establishment of the women's tournament, which is set to run alongside the men's competition. Sunil Taneja confessed that he was more excited about the women's league.

"How many parents in this country give their daughters the hockey stick and tell her to play with the hard plastic ball?" said Taneja, "So that is the bigger thing for me....that the women’s hockey league is coming and will be played parallel (to the men’s league)."

The women's HIL is set to feature four teams and Ranchi is slated to be the venue for all the matches of this league.

"The whole Hockey India team deserve to be congratulated for they did not start the women’s league after a few years, rather it is being run simultaneously, in the same window." said Taneja.

He further added:

"Look at what women hockey has done over the last 8 years. We qualified for Rio (Olympics 2016). For the first time after 1980, we played (at the Olympics) in 2016. At Tokyo (Olympics 2020), we almost won a medal. I am saying this even now: Women’s team’s 4th place finish was a bigger achievement for me than the Men’s bronze medal. Because (earlier) we didn’t use to even qualify."

India's women's team missed an Olympic berth this year in Paris. However, Taneja believes that the league would further strengthen the ecosystem of women's hockey in the country and help the Indian team become stronger. He further lauded Hockey India for choosing the right venue.

"Thankfully, maximum matches would be held in Ranchi, which is already considered a mini-hub for women’s hockey in India. So, I am more excited about the women’s league." said Taneja. "Whichever sports that don’t have it (women’s league) yet, should also introduce it."

Taneja's commentary career too began at the Premier Hockey League. After going through the changes over the years, it was only after the Olympics in 2024 that he gained massive mainstream popularity. Now, he hopes that hockey, his 'first love', too reaches the peak of its powers in the franchise leagues arena.