Kolkata: While the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams are gearing up for the upcoming World Cup and Asian Games, a group of players from outside the country have signed up to play in the Australian Hockey One league, scheduled to be held in October and November.So far, four Indian players have announced their participation, all of them are expected to represent the Melbourne Cobras franchise. The women’s team includes Kanika Siwach and Udita, while Gurjant Singh and Mohammed Raheel Mouseen will feature in the men’s team. The club has also recruited former Indian stars Rupinder Pal Singh and Rani Rampal as ambassadors.The Cobras have been promoting the Indian community in Australia and have created a team that combines Indian and Australian talent.Speaking about her decision, Kanika, daughter of former Indian captain and coach Pritam Siwach, said she wanted to challenge herself by breaking away from her routine.“I wanted to leave my comfort zone. Back home, I have been with the same players for five or six years. Here, I didn’t know anyone. I had to adapt to a new culture, new friends and a completely different place. I wanted to test myself, and that’s why I came.”Kanika, who played in the junior World Cup last year and scored five goals, has already spent over a month in Australia and is currently playing in the Mentone Hockey Club’s Women’s Premier League.Reflecting on the current situation, he said, “Australian hockey is very different from Indian hockey. It is more dynamic and fast-paced. They also emphasize teamwork. In India, we focus on developing individual skills, while here everything is structured and team-oriented.”Udita, who has represented India in 138 internationals and last played for the national team in the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad earlier this year, is also very excited about the opportunity.“Our Hockey India League is short, it lasts about 20 to 25 days, while the Australian league runs for about two months. This means that we will be immersed in hockey for a long time and see their training methods, their practices and the whole process.”Former India all-rounder Rupinder Pal Singh believes that playing will be more important for Indian players, given the limited opportunities they will get to play in foreign leagues.“Indian players don’t often get a chance to play in international leagues, so this is an important opportunity,” said the former India player. “It will allow our players to experience the culture of Australian hockey, watch how they prepare, and learn from their training methods.”This exposure, Rupinder believes, will be important as the Indian players return home with fresh ideas, different perspectives and a better understanding of one of the world’s most powerful hockey games.