From right-handed batter to right-half: Milan Patel balancing sport and profession to fuel his hockey journey

For New Zealand’s Milan Patel, a trip to Mumbai in 2019 was initially meant to advance his cricket ambitions. The then 15-year-old, whose family originates from Gujarat, India, travelled from Auckland for a stint at the Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy. This experience, driven by his father, surprisingly led him to a definitive realisation: hockey is his true calling.

Patel, who grew up playing both sports, returned home with a newfound clarity, choosing to prioritise the sport he felt most passionate about.

“I came to Mumbai for a two-week camp. It was mostly because of my dad, who wanted it. In terms of cricket, I was alright, but never loved it. I went back home and said: I don’t enjoy cricket as much as hockey and want to pursue hockey,” the 21-year-old told Sportstar on the sidelines of the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025.

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This choice set the first-generation hockey international on the path to becoming an invaluable member of the Future Black Sticks. The shift from being a “decent” right-hand batter to a reliable right-half defined his journey, which began at the Pukekohe Indian Sports Club in Auckland, following in the footsteps of some family friends and cousins.

The Cost of Passion: Self-Funding the Dream

Despite cricket being among the most popular sports back home, Patel chose hockey, which remains an amateur sport in New Zealand. This dedication comes at a steep financial cost, as the federation does not sponsor the junior program, and players must self-fund their way to international tournaments.

Patel spoke candidly about the struggle to finance his dream while balancing training with his job as a self-employed financial advisor:

“Obviously, every camp you go to, you pay for. When we went to the Sultan of Johor Cup a couple of weeks ago, we paid for that. And then, obviously, this. It’s not easy… I think luckily, we have sponsorships from family friends and a lot of fundraising guys on tour. I was really lucky. I had some sponsorships and some family friends, so it’s tough.”

He admits that managing his professional life alongside intense training is a constant balancing act. “Stuff is not easy. Obviously, most of the days just will work, and then you’ve got to go to training at night, but I think we’ve kind of found a good balance,” he noted, crediting his sports background for sharpening key business skills.

Family Support

Adding to the significance of competing in India, Patel’s family—originally from Navsari, Gujarat—have travelled to cheer him on from the stands. This connection to his Indian-origin roots, along with the visible support, makes a big difference.

“It feels awesome to see and hear them cheering us. My girlfriend’s family is also here. Our extended family members have also travelled here,” he said.

Positional Flexibility

Patel, mainly a midfielder, underwent a significant tactical change leading into the Junior World Cup squad. Coach Mike Delaney identified that his skills are better suited for a more defensive position to inject dynamism into the team. The youngster is now utilising his midfield instincts to effectively launch attacks while mastering his defensive duties.

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“Actually, I only came into this team as a defender. Right half to be exact. I started out as a midfielder and played Under-18s as a midfielder. In this team, my role is to attack from the right. I get a lot of the ball. Defensively, I’m still working on improving my game,” he concluded.

Published on Dec 02, 2025