Drag flicker of hope

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From a rookie who took a while to find his bearings in the team, to becoming one of the most dependable men in the Indian hockey team, V.R. Raghunath’s journey has been built on a solid foundation of skills, hard work and the ability to overcome testing times.

At 26, one of the most eligible bachelors in Indian hockey, he may be a picture of raw energy and aggression on the field, but off the pitch, he’s jovial and at times shy when it comes to female attention.
Ask the strapping Coorg lad about women and his instant reply is, “Relationships will happen when they have to, right now my love life has taken a back seat and I’m concentrating fully on hockey. We are going through a transition in Indian hockey and I have a lot to prove. As far as marriage is concerned, I’ll mostly opt for an arranged marriage, since I believe my parents will make the right choice.”
Not many know that Raghunath, who was recently named the player of the tournament at the prestigious Asia Cup, would have been a mechanical engineer if not a hockey player.
“I always loved doing mechanical stuff. I’m one of those people who believe in the strong connect between the man and his machine. Engines and machines absolutely fascinate me. If I hadn’t figured that hockey was my true calling, I would have pursued mechanical engineering,” said the dragflick ace.
Like many sportspersons, Raghunath, too, has his share of superstitions. “I’m an ardent believer of Goddess Bhadrakali. There is a temple in my hometown in Gonikoppa where my family offers prayers on my behalf before tournaments. Also, I always walk on to the pitch putting my right foot first. Another practice that I have is I never shave or cut my hair on a match day,” he says.
When he’s not donning the Indian team gear, the Karnataka ace is quite a fashion-conscious youngster with a love for shoes and watches.
“I strongly believe clothes describe one’s personality and I do make it a point to be well-turned-out whenever I step out. For casual outings, I like pairing different shades of blue jeans with checked shirts or T-shirts and in the evening, jackets work well. Apart from that, I have a fetish for footwear and watches and have a collection of both. My all-time favourite watch brand is Tissot,” he adds.
Over the years, with experience, Raghunath has learnt to handle success and defeat, and he believes that it has made him a better person.
“Earlier, I would sulk for a long time when we lost matches, but I’m a more mature person now. Defeats do affect me, but now I get over those matches before I leave the pitch and concentrate on winning the next one,” explained the London Olympian.
Despite a hectic schedule which keeps him away from home for the better part of the year, Raghunath tries to spend time with family as often as he can.
“My family is my top priority. Although I don’t get to spend too much time with them, I try and make the best use of the time I get and we take short vacations,” he signs off.