Muscat (Oman), 21 October 2018: The Indian Men’s Hockey team’s third round-robin match against Japan at the 5th Men’s Hero Asian Champions Trophy Muscat 2018 saw Defender Surender Kumar achieve the milestone of completing a 100 International Caps for the National team. The 24-year-old Defender had made his International debut in the year 2013 when he was a part of the team that took part in the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2013.

Surender Kumar hails from the state of Haryana and came through the ranks of the Junior team set-up where he was first drafted in the year 2012. He made his debut in the Junior team in the same year and was also a part of the team which finished 10th at the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup in 2013. His dynamic performances in the Hockey India League and in the domestic circuit saw him get selected regularly for the Senior team in from the year 2016 onwards. At just 24, Surender has been a part of the teams which have participated at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Hero Men’s Asia Cup 2017, FIH Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy 2018 and the 18th Asian Games.

Surender, who is known for his tackling and clearing skills, spoke ahead of the match against World No. 16 Japan, “I am very proud to have been able to represent the nation through the years, and it gives me immense joy and satisfaction to be getting the chance to play in my 100th International Match for India. I have always wanted to represent my country at the highest level, and to be able to do it a hundred times, it swells my heart with gratitude towards everyone who has been involved in my development which includes my teammates, coaches, team management, family, friends and Hockey India.”

Mr Rajinder Singh, Secretary General, Hockey India, congratulated the 24-year-old Defender, “On behalf of Hockey India, I would like to congratulate Surender Kumar on completing 100 International Caps for the country. He is a young player who has developed well through the ranks and I am happy to see his progress as he is regularly involved with the Senior team now. Surender has proven to be an added resource to the Indian defence. I would like to wish him the best for the future, and hope to see him achieve wonderful things with the Indian team.”