Hockey India League: Akashdeep Singh Under Pressure Due to 'Costliest' tag
Akashdeep Singh says his high price tag of Rs 55.26 lakh puts him under pressure to perform well for Uttar Pradesh Wizards in the Hockey India League.
Striker Akashdeep Singh, who at $84,000 (Rs 55.26 lakh) was the highest paid Indian player in the Hockey India League (HIL) auction, says he is preparing himself to cope with the 'price-tag' pressure in the cash-rich competition. (Akashdeep becomes a millionaire)
"I was expecting a higher bid from last year's auction, but I did not expect that I will become the highest-paid Indian player. With the price there comes a high pressure to perform and I am preparing myself to cope up with the pressure and the two-field goal theory adds a bit more pressure to the forwards to perform," said Akashdeep, who was bought by the Uttar Pradesh Wizards on Thursday.
He is also looking forward to play with the likes of Jamie Dwyer.
"It is exciting to play alongside Jamie Dwyer as he is a legend in the sport and I will get a lot to learn from him. We have players like Ramandeep Singh, PR Sreejesh and VR Raghunath, with them I play in the national team as well so I will adapt quickly with the team. Being in the Wizards, we will try our best to perform and win the title in the coming season," he added.