My hockey will show what I still am: Sardar Singh

New Delhi: This time around, Hockey India League's auction gave many surprises. And one of it was certainly the low price of $58,000 in which Indian skipper Sardar Singh was picked by Punjab Warriors. In fact, youngsters like Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh and Gurmail Singh were in demand and fetched more money than Sardar.

However, Sardar seems unperturbed with all this and thinks that it's time for the youngsters to live up to their high price tag. The 29-year-old told DNA: “For the last three years, I was getting a good price of $78,000 playing for the Delhi Waveriders, and the team did well under me too. So I'm happy that our Indian youngsters got a good price this time, and they should take this as a positive sign.

“There will be responsibility on them now (to live up to the price tag). They will have to do really well, and I hope they do. I hope it motivates them. As for me, I have no problems. My target will remain to play good hockey for the country, and play good hockey for a long time.”

When the newspaper asked Sardar that People were quick to jump and say 'This shows Sardar is no more the force he was' – he replied: “No one needs to say anything, my hockey will show what I still am. Sab log bolte hai (Everyone talks). No problem. There are ups and downs in normal life as well.”