Accidental goalkeeper Mohith ready for WC run

new delhi: At 24 years of age, accidental goalkeeper Mohith HS of Karnataka is set to realise his lifelong dream of representing India at the FIH Hockey World Cup, which will be jointed hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium from August 15 to 30.

Alongside the experienced Suraj Karkera, Mohith is one of the two goalkeepers in the Indian team, marking another significant milestone in his remarkable journey.

While Mohith may not have the same level of international experience as Suraj, the young custodian has impressed consistently in recent months, particularly during the final leg of the FIH Pro League season, where his performances reinforced the selectors’ faith in his abilities.

Ironically, Mohith’s hockey journey began by chance. He was drafted into his school’s hockey team because there was no goalkeeper available, and his coach believed his height would be an advantage between the posts. What started as an unexpected opportunity soon evolved into a promising career. Since then, Mohith has represented India at the Junior World Cup before earning his senior national call-up, steadily progressing through the ranks.

“I always had a mindset to represent India in major tournaments because when I played in the Junior World Cup, we were not able to finish on the podium; we ended up fourth. So, from that time, it was my dream to do something big for India,” Mohith said in a Hockey India release.

Mohith also acknowledged the learnings from legendary goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who is an inspiration for the next generation of Indian custodians.

“We have learnt a lot from him (Sreejesh). But it’s not that we are under pressure to fill those shoes because he has done so well for India. We will give 100 per cent on the ground, and then we will see what happens,” said

Mohith. India head into the FIH World Cup with renewed confidence following an encouraging finish to their recent Pro League

campaign.