New Delhi, Jul 11: With his blistering ball speed and attacking mindset, forward Venkatesh Kenche has delivered for India ‘A’ so far in the ongoing European tour, and he is in no mood to relent as he seeks to achieve bigger goals in top-flight hockey.
The India ‘A’ men’s team registered back-to-back wins — 6-1 and 6-0 — against Ireland to open their eight-match European tour on a bright note.
Among the standout performers is Kenche, who is determined to make the most of this opportunity.
“I have been training and practicing very hard. It has been my goal to play for India,” he said in a Hockey India (HI) release on Friday.
“I focused a lot on my basics and fitness, and that has really helped my game. The domestic circuit is very competitive, with many strong teams, which has pushed all of us to improve,” he added.
After earlier stints at the junior national camp in 2016 and 2018, Kenche has made a spirited return to the India setup. He credits this breakthrough to consistent performances on the domestic circuit.
Kenche played a key role in Maharashtra’s bronze medal win at the National Games and their quarter-final finish at the Senior National Championship.
On making his debut for India ‘A’, Kenche said, “It has been a dream come true to represent India. I am very proud — and so is my family. They’ve always supported and encouraged me, and never put any pressure on me. I am really grateful to them.”
Reflecting on the differences between domestic and international hockey, Kenche acknowledged the shift in tempo and tactical depth.
“The game plan is very different here, and the intensity is much higher,” he explained.
“The coaches focus a lot more on planning, and it’s important to listen carefully to perform well.”
On wearing the India jersey for the first time, the 24-year-old admitted to some initial nerves.
“Initially, I was a bit nervous, but I soon settled in, started feeling good, and now I feel like I truly belong here. The team is very supportive, and we don’t single out players for mistakes — that really helped boost my confidence.”
Kenche is aware of the areas he wants to improve.
“I think my speed with the ball is one of my strengths — it comes naturally but I’ve also worked on it a lot,” he said.
“Going forward, I really want to improve my goal-scoring ability.”
India ‘A’ will next face France on Saturday.(PTI)
