Indian polo player Simran Shergill has achieved a six-goal handicap, one of the highest ratings in the sport. In an exclusive interview, he discusses his journey, training in Argentina, and the need for grassroots revival in Indian polo. Shergill emphasizes that polo is a lifestyle centered around horses.
Simran Shergill, an Indian polo star, recently reflected on reaching a six-goal handicap, describing it as a deeply personal achievement after more than two decades of professional play. "It was a moment of pride," Shergill told WION. At one point, he was the only six-goal player in Asia, maintaining the rating for several years and winning tournaments at that level.
Shergill's career began in his teenage years, influenced by his father's service in the President’s Bodyguard. Between ages 13 and 16, he started riding regularly, initially in show jumping before transitioning to polo. His long association with industrialist Naveen Jindal, spanning over two decades, has shaped much of his journey. "In polo, just being at your handicap isn’t enough," he explains. "You have to play one step above your rating."
A pivotal phase came early in his career when he trained in Argentina, known as the global capital of polo. "Argentina has more polo players than the rest of the world combined," Shergill says. There, he learned to improve riding, ball passing, and game rhythm, shifting from a forward role to valuing teamwork. "You can hit the ball a hundred yards," he notes. "But if it doesn’t reach your teammate, it’s useless. Sometimes a 20-yard pass is far more valuable."
For Shergill, polo transcends profession. "It’s not really a job," he says. "It’s a lifestyle." His routine revolves around horses, including daily checks for their well-being. Despite polo's elite image, Shergill, from a middle-class army family, insists passion creates opportunities.
He views Indian polo at its lowest point in 20 years, with fewer teams in Delhi. "We need to make polo more inclusive," he argues, advocating cost reduction and grassroots efforts. Meanwhile, his 10-year-old son has begun riding, continuing the family legacy.
