Aditya Lalage

Aditya Arjun Lalage (born 15 January 2003) is an Indian field hockey player from Maharashtra.^[1] He made his Indian debut in the two-match series against Germany in October 2024. He is a forward and represents Maharashtra and Services Sports Control Board in the domestic tournaments. He plays for Delhi SG Pipers, in the Hero Hockey India League.^[2]

Early life and education

Lalage is from a farmer's family in Vidala village, Satara, Maharashtra. He is the youngest of four children. He learnt his basics at Krida Prabodhini Academy, a Maharashtra government's sports scheme.^[3][4] He was into sugarcane farming, helping his family members in the farms, but soon took up hockey after he was inspired by the film, Chak De! India.^[3]

Career

Lalage was part of the junior India team that won the gold medal in the Men's Junior Asia Cup 2023. Later, he was also part of the team that won a bronze medal in the Sultan of Johor Cup at Johor Bahru, Malaysia. In December 2023, he played the Men's FIH Hockey Junior World Cup at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where India finished fourth.^[1] He scored three goals in the tournament, two against Canada and one in the quarterfinals against the Netherlands.^[5][6]