Meet Ketan Kushwaha: The 14-year-old prodigy ready to make waves in HIL 2025-26

At 14, Ketan Kushwaha is unaware of his record but the Jhansi boy will be the youngest hockey player in a professional league at the Hockey India League (HIL) 2025-26.

A trainee at the UP Sports Hostel in Lucknow, Kushwaha was picked up by defending champion Shrachi Bengal Tigers at the auction in September for his base price of Rs. 2.5 lakh. And while the amount may not seem much, Kushwaha admits he was looking forward to the experience and lessons from some of the top international stars.

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“It will be a great learning experience to play with international stars and Olympians from India and other countries but I also hope to enjoy my time. I saw all the HIL matches last year and really liked the competition. I will try my best to contribute in any way I can to ensure we retain the title,” a shy Kushwaha told Sportstar.

Among his teammates will be India star Abhisek Nain and German legend Christopher Ruhr, two of the best in the business, specially given Kushwaha’s preferred role of a striker or a linkman. Having first started playing a the age of six years following in the footsteps of his elder brother, Kushwaha has been training in Lucknow for the past three years under former India player Rajneesh Mishra.

Ketan Kushwaha’s preferred role of a striker or a linkman. 
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“The coach only suggested we fill up the player registration forms for the HIL. There were other boys also from the hostel. He said it will help us in getting experience, develop our game, learn new things and also improve our chances of playing for India one day. I did not understand much then but I trust my coach completely, he will not give wrong advice,” Kushwaha insisted.

Among others in HIL with him will be statemates Affan Yousuf and Atul Deep. “I have spoken to them and they said you will like it and learn a lot. They spoke about teamwork, unity, listening to each other but not to take too much stress. But I want to prove myself to the team,” the class ninth student, who also plays for Indian Oil as a scholarship student, declared.

Published on Dec 17, 2025