Queen and her goals

Through years of pain and practice, hockey captain Rani Rampal helps India reach another Olympics

- NEERU BHATIA

RANI RAMPAL has no starry airs; humility has been the hallmark of India’s hockey captain. Around her neck is a reminder of her passion—a gold pendant with two hockey sticks and a ball. For a prodigy who debuted at 14 and came from a humble background—her father was a cart puller—she has grown into one of India’s finest forwards and has been a vital part of the team’s revival in recent years.

Her latest achievement was the goal she scored in the 48th minute of the qualifier against the US, which helped her team beat the Americans 6-5 on aggregate and qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. “It is a team effort,” she told THE WEEK with a shy smile. “The ball came from the back to me, the girls ensured the ball remained in the circle and it was passed to me.”

Though she has a lot of responsibilities—captain and striker of the team, and main breadwinner of the family—she does not let it show. She soldiers on with grit and patience.

Her team, too, has grown with her, especially under coach Sjoerd Marijne. There is a healthy mix of experience and youth; it is a fitter, faster and stronger unit. Marijne and scientific adviser Wayne Lombard, along with a trainer, physiotherapist and sports psychologist, have worked to create a team that has set a high benchmark in technical, physical and mental toughness. “A lot of girls are running at higher than 20 [in the yo-yo test],” Marijne told THE WEEK. “When we came, the team was not running higher than 18. We have the ability to play different tactical games. In the first [qualifier], we were able to intercept in our own 25 yards and counter at really high speeds. This was not possible [at the time] I arrived in India (in 2017).”