From the city that gave India the legendary Dhyan Chand, a new hockey sensation has emerged — Ketan Kushwaha. The 14-year-old forward has been signed by Shrachi Bengal Tigers for ₹2.5 lakh in the recent HIL auction held in New Delhi.
Ketan will debut in January next year, making him the youngest player in the history of India’s professional hockey league. The defending champions, Bengal Tigers, had their most successful season last year under the guidance of their head coach, Jagraj Singh, a mentor known for grooming several Indian stars such as Harmanpreet, Sukhjeet, Hardeep, and Abhishek.
Jagraj, who also coaches East Bengal’s hockey team, has now set his sights on developing Ketan into the next big name in Indian hockey.
From YouTube Discovery to the HIL Auction
Coach Jagraj Singh recalled how he first discovered Ketan.
“Last year, I was watching a YouTube video of a senior Uttar Pradesh XI match, and I saw a young boy dodge multiple defenders and score a brilliant goal,” said Jagraj. “I contacted him soon after and followed his progress.”
Since then, Ketan has played in several senior tournaments, scoring crucial goals including one just last Thursday in the KD Babu Tournament against the Services team. “I picked him in the HIL auction because I truly believe he’s ready to shine,” Jagraj added. “Just like Vaibhav amazed everyone in his first IPL season, I’m sure Ketan will do the same in hockey.”
Inspired by Vaibhav’s Journey
Ketan openly admits that Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the 13-year-old from Tezpur, Bihar, who was bought in last year’s IPL auction for ₹1.1 crore, inspired him deeply.
“When Vaibhav got picked in the IPL, I thought maybe I could also play in the Hockey India League one day,” Ketan said. “I didn’t expect it to happen so soon. I’m thrilled that I’ll get to share the field with my idols like Abhishek and Sukhjeet.”
Jhansi’s Legacy Lives On
Jhansi remains the cradle of Indian hockey, where the sport is played in every neighborhood. From Dhyan Chand to his son Ashok Kumar and stars like Tushar Khandekar, the city has produced generations of hockey legends.
With Ketan Kushwaha’s rise, Indian hockey seems poised for another golden chapter. Fans are already waiting to see whether this teenage sensation will live up to the legacy of his hometown and become the next big name to make the nation proud.
