Overview
Rajpal Singh (born 8 August 1983) (Punjabi: ) is a former captain of India national hockey team. He plays from the forward (front line) position. He is an Arjuna Award winner. He is a graduate from Chandigarhs SGGS Khalsa College and a product of Siwalik Public School. Rajpal Singh hogged the limelight with a sterling show at his first international outing at the 2001 Youth Asia Cup. India won the Cup at Ipoh, Malaysia, where he was also Player of the Tournament, with seven goals in his kitty. Rajpal Singh,was in the news before the home world cup, as he unitedly led his team’s fight for its rights with the hockey administrators.
Career
Beginning
Younger son of a retired police, Rajpal represented Chandigarh in Junior Nationals. After the Hobart Junior World Cup gold, he joined Indian Oil Corporation. A long wait for his senior debut ended when, under the tutelage of Rajinder Singh Jr., he travelled to the 2005 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
He succeeded Deepak Thakur at the right wing.
In fall 2007, he played in the German second division (2. Bundesliga) for Marienburger SC, Cologne. In the first round, he scored four times. With Adrian D’Souza, Bimal Lakra and William Xalco, there played four Indians for this club. Rajpal was one of many Indians in 2007 who played in Germany in preparation for the Olympic Games 2008 in China.
2010
FIH World Cup
He became captain of national team after replacing Sandeep Singh just before the FIH world cup 2010 in New Delhi but India finished 8th.
Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
Under the captaincy of Rajpal, the Indian team regained their title as they emerged joint winners along with Korea in a rain-affected final at the 19th edition of Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. In one of the group matches, the Indian team defeated the Australian team 4-3.
Commonwealth Games
Under his captaincy, the Indian team entered into semifinal of Commonwealth Games, Delhi after defeating Pakistan by 7-4. It persuaded against the England in the semifinals to be the first team to make sure of a medal for India in CWG Hockey history. But the final was a washout with India going down 8-0 against the mighty Australia.
Asian Hockey Champions Trophy
He captained the Indian team to the inaugural 2011 Asian Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy, which India won by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan in the final.
But Rajpal was removed as the captain on 30 September and was replaced by goalkeeper Bharat Chhetri. It is believed that his demotion was imminent as he had led the team’s revolt against the federation for giving meager rewards after the Champion’s Trophy triumph.
Premier Hockey League
Rajpal leads hugely popular Chandigarh Dynamos in the PHL.
Personal life
He is married to the Indian shooter Avneet Sidhu and the couple have one child.
World Series Hockey
Rajpal leads the Delhi Wizards in the WSH 2012.
Awards
In 2011, Rajpal received the prestigious Arjuna Award for excellence in the field of hockey.