The Gujarat Giants and the Indian Men’s Hockey Team had a unique encounter on Wednesday, August 6, at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru as part of their preseason preparations for Pro Kabaddi League Season 12.
Along with head coach Jaivir Sharma, assistant coach Varinder Singh Sandhu, and fitness trainer Abhishek Parihar, the Gujarat Giants players Himanshu Jaglan, Rakesh, Parteek Dahiya, Nitin Panwar, and V. Ajith Kumar drew inspiration from the Indian Hockey team and even gave hockey a try. In exchange, the hockey players participated in kabaddi drills.
Players and coaches talked about the similar physical and tactical requirements of kabaddi and hockey, such as strength, speed, agility, and tactical awareness, in a cross-learning exercise.
Additionally, the teams shared knowledge about injury prevention, strength and conditioning, and how training techniques from one sport can improve performance in another.
To the delight of all, Craig Fulton, the head coach, and Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of the Indian men’s hockey team, even attempted raiding.
The hockey team relished the challenge of a new sport after a rigorous training session on the turf, and the lively and entertaining exchange was full of banter, camaraderie, and smiles on both sides.
While the Indian men’s hockey team prepares for their tour of Australia and the Asia Cup, the Gujarat Giants, owned by Adani SportsLine, are currently preparing for the upcoming PKL season. The session was marked with a jersey exchange as a show of respect between each other.
On August 30, the Gujarat Giants will play U Mumba in Vizag to begin their PKL campaign. The Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru is the current training facility for the Gujarat Giants.
The Bengaluru crossover showed how similar athletic behaviors and unlimited experimentation may bring two different sports together.
Both teams offer not only their physical fitness but also an unfamiliar feeling of inspiration and respect to their respective campaigns, showing that non-traditional training may promote creativity, harmony, and excellence.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available reports and official team updates as of August 2025. The information is intended for general awareness and may be subject to change. Readers are advised to follow official sources for the latest updates on team activities and schedules.
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