Amit Rohidas Completes 250 International Caps as Rajinder Singh Reaches 50 for India at Hockey World Cup
India’s final match at the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026 produced two significant personal milestones as defender Amit Rohidas completed 250 international appearances for the country and midfielder Rajinder Singh reached the landmark of 50 caps.
Both milestones came during India’s seventh-eighth place classification match against Belgium at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre on Friday. While India ultimately finished eighth after losing the contest 3-4 in a shootout, the occasion provided a memorable moment for two players at very different stages of their international careers.
For Rohidas, reaching 250 caps is a remarkable achievement that reflects more than a decade of consistency at the highest level.
The defender from Sundergarh district in Odisha made his international debut during the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia, in 2013. Since then, he has established himself as one of the most experienced players in the Indian setup and an important figure in the team's defensive structure.
One of Rohidas' most specialised responsibilities is serving as India's first rusher during penalty-corner defence. His positioning, speed and ability to put pressure on opposing drag-flickers have made him an important component of India's defensive system over the years.
His international career has also been closely linked with some of India's biggest recent achievements.
Rohidas was part of the Indian teams that won bronze medals at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He also served as vice-captain during the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's World Cup 2023, further underlining his importance within the national setup.
Reaching 250 international caps during another World Cup appearance therefore represents a fitting milestone for a player who has spent more than a decade representing India on major stages.
“It feels incredible to reach 250 caps for my country. Every time I step on the field in the India jersey, I carry the pride of my team, my family and everyone back home who has supported me,” Rohidas said.
The veteran defender also thanked Hockey India, his coaches and teammates for their continued support and expressed his desire to keep contributing to the national team for as long as possible.
While Rohidas celebrated a quarter of a thousand international appearances, Rajinder Singh reached his 50th cap in what has been a rapid rise through the Indian system.
The midfielder, who hails from Sant Nagar in Haryana's Sirsa district and trains at the Namdhari Sports Academy, made his senior India debut against Germany in October 2024.
In less than two years, he has already established himself within the senior setup and earned a place at the World Cup.
Rajinder's progression began through India's junior pathway. He was part of the Indian squad that won gold at the Men's Junior Asia Cup 2023 before helping the team finish fourth at the 2023 FIH Junior Men's Hockey World Cup.
His transition from junior international hockey to the senior side has been rapid, and the 2026 World Cup represented another major milestone as he was included among India's World Cup debutants.
For Rajinder, reaching 50 caps so early in his senior career is evidence of how quickly his international journey has progressed.
“Reaching 50 caps this early in my career means a lot to me. It has been a fast couple of years, and I owe a lot of it to the support of my senior teammates and the coaching staff,” he said.
The midfielder added that his focus is now on continuing to learn and improve so he can contribute even more to the Indian team.
The simultaneous milestones of Rohidas and Rajinder also highlight two different aspects of India's current hockey setup: experience and emerging depth. Rohidas represents a generation that has delivered Olympic medals and competed at multiple major international tournaments, while Rajinder is part of a younger group expected to carry Indian hockey forward in the coming years.
Hockey India President Padma Shri Dr Dilip Tirkey congratulated both players and highlighted the significance of their achievements. He described Rohidas as the backbone of India's defence for more than a decade while also praising Rajinder for making an impact on the international stage at a young age.
Hockey India Secretary General Shri Bhola Nath Singh also called it a special occasion to see both players achieve their milestones during the same World Cup match against Belgium.
The timing made the moment even more meaningful.
India's World Cup campaign may not have ended with the desired result, with Belgium winning the seventh-eighth place classification match after a shootout, but the final fixture still provided a celebration of individual achievement.
For Rohidas, 250 caps are a testament to longevity, consistency and service to Indian hockey. For Rajinder, 50 caps are a sign of a career that has accelerated at remarkable speed.
Their journeys may be at different stages, but both milestones underline the depth of commitment required to wear the Indian jersey.
As India look towards the next chapter of their international calendar, Rohidas' experience and Rajinder's emergence offer contrasting but complementary reasons for optimism.
One has already spent more than a decade building his legacy.
The other is only beginning to write his.
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