All posts tagged: Manpreet Singh

Virat Kohli compares fitness levels

Virat Kohli compares fitness levels

Published by Webster

2 min readMay 20, 2026 01:14 PM IST Indian cricketing legend Virat Kohli has acknowledged the fitness standard of hockey players claiming that cricketers don’t have even 15% of fitness. His claim has drawn heartfelt reactions from Indian hockey players. Considered one of the fittest cricketers, Virat Kohli said if hockey players watch their sessions, they would laugh as the sport of hockey demands much more. “I know people sometimes look at fitness as something extraordinary, but for me, it is what the job demands. It should be the norm, not something celebrated as special,” Kohli said while speaking at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit. “Cricket is in such prime focus in our country that we often overlook other sports. If I am being honest, we aren’t even 15% of the fitness of an Indian hockey player. If the hockey players watch our training sessions, they would laugh because their sport demands far more,” Kohli added. ALSO READ | Virat Kohli reveals why he gave up captaincy Earlier hockey players like Indian vice …

Sending separate teams an option for Hockey World Cup and Asian Games

Sending separate teams an option for Hockey World Cup and Asian Games

Published by Webster

4 min readMar 27, 2026 10:18 PM IST With the Asian Games and World Cup scheduled within three weeks of each other later this year, Hockey India is mulling sending different teams to the two tournaments with the continental event being the main focus given it provides a direct pathway to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Hockey World Cup will be held from August 15-30 in the Netherlands and Belgium while the Asian Games will start on September 19 in Aichi Nagoya, Japan. “Our complete focus is on the Asian Games. The World Cup is also big but it is tough for players to peak twice in such a short space of time. We can’t rule out the possibility of sending two different teams to the two tournaments,” Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey told The Indian Express on the sidelines of the federation’s annual awards function on Friday. “We will discuss this closer to the World Cup. The selectors and the head coach will make a decision based on what seems right at that …

11 losses in 12 matches puts Indian men’s team under scanner

11 losses in 12 matches puts Indian men’s team under scanner

Published by Webster

19 goals conceded, 5 scored. A goal difference of -14 in just four matches. The Indian men’s hockey team endured a week straight out of hell during the Rourkela leg of the 2025-26 FIH Pro League season in front of a packed home crowd at the world’s largest seated hockey arena — the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium. This was just an extension to their sorry run in last season, where they lost seven consecutive matches. India then had a genuine shot at title after a commendable home leg, before it all unraveled in Europe. They just about managed to avoid relegation last year, snapping their losing streak with a win over Belgium in their final match of the tour. Despite the disappointing outing, there wasn’t any panic or knee-jerk reactions. It was a post Olympic-year and teams usually tend to take things slow. The Asian Cup triumph just months later in Rajgir covered up the Pro League wounds. However unlike last year in Europe, the performance in Rourkela has set the alarm bells ringing. …

Former hockey captain Manpreet Singh clears the air after failing to make 33-man probables list: ‘Since Paris Olympics’

Former hockey captain Manpreet Singh clears the air after failing to make 33-man probables list: ‘Since Paris Olympics’

Published by Parlour News

There was a lot of surprise as Hockey India announced the list of 33 probables who could make it to the upcoming training camp in Rourkela, as fans noticed the missing veteran presence of former captain Manpreet Singh. Despite reports stating that the player was dropped due to disciplinary infractions just short of a record-equalling 412th cap for India, he himself has stepped in the say his piece and clear the air regarding the matter. Earlier in the week, a report in The Tribune had alleged that Manpreet alongside veteran teammates Dilpreet Singh and Kishan Pathak bad been docked by HI for consuming banned substances during a recent tour of South Africa, where they reportedly indulged in cannabis-infused food. However, coach Craig Fulton played down the reports, saying that Manpreet and co. had been provided rest from the training camp heading into a busy period for the team. Manpreet was most recently at the heart of Ranchi Royals’ run to the final of the Hockey India League, and took to his own X profile in …

“I had been meaning to request for a break,” says Manpreet Singh after being dropped from team

“I had been meaning to request for a break,” says Manpreet Singh after being dropped from team

Published by Webster

A day after being dropped from the 33-member core group ahead of the FIH Men’s Pro League in Rourkela, veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh has put all the speculation to rest. The 33-year-old claimed that he requested to be rested to spend time with family and recharge mentally. “Since the Paris Olympics, it’s been non-stop hockey for me. Back-to-back tournaments, across Asia, Europe, Australia and South Africa. Last year, my wife Illi and I were blessed with my second baby girl – with all the camps and tournaments lined up one after another, I’ve hardly been able to spend quality time with my family,” he wrote in a social media post. At 411 international caps, the 33-year-old is just two matches away from breaking Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey’s long-standing record of 412 caps and becoming India’s most capped international hockey player. There were speculations that the two-time Olympic medalist was dropped to safeguard Tirkey’s longstanding record. The rumours also pointed at disciplinary action against Manpreet along with goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak and forward Dilpreet Singh. …

Veteran Manpreet Singh dropped from core probables for FIH Pro League

Veteran Manpreet Singh dropped from core probables for FIH Pro League

Published by Webster

Veteran midfielder and two-time Olympic medalist Manpreet Singh was dropped when Hockey India announced a 33-member core probable group for the senior men’s national coaching camp on Thursday. The 33-year-old was on the cusp of creating history. At 411 international caps, he is just two matches away from breaking Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey’s long-standing record of 412 caps and becoming India’s most capped international hockey player. The decision puts a major question mark over Manpreet’s international career, just seven months before an important 2026 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup. The camp is scheduled to be held in Rourkela, Odisha from February 1 to 7. It will form part of the team’s preparations for the upcoming phase of the FIH Men’s Pro League, which is scheduled to be staged at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela from February 10 to 15. The home leg will mark the start of the year’s first campaign for India. The squad assembles following the recently concluded Hero Hockey India League, which provided competitive exposure to several senior …

India crowned champions; beat Chinese Taipei in final

India crowned champions; beat Chinese Taipei in final

Published by Webster

India secured their second consecutive Women’s Kabaddi World Cup title on Sunday, defeating Chinese Taipei 35-28 in a hard-fought final in Dhaka. The victory completed an unbeaten run for the defending champions, who reaffirmed their dominance in the global women’s game. India entered the final riding a wave of momentum after sweeping all four group-stage matches and producing a composed 33-21 win over Iran in the semifinals. Their opponents, Chinese Taipei, also arrived in the title clash undefeated and fresh off a solid 25-18 semifinal victory against hosts Bangladesh. The final was competitive throughout, with Chinese Taipei challenging India’s defensive structure in the early stages. However, India gradually asserted control through disciplined tackles and well-timed raids, maintaining composure during pivotal moments of the match. Their balanced approach and depth in both departments proved decisive in the closing stages. A total of 11 countries participated in this edition of the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup, reflecting the sport’s rapid international growth. For India, the triumph further cements their status as the benchmark in women’s kabaddi, with another …

Sanjay to lead Indian hockey team at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup; Harmanpreet, Manpreet and other seniors rested | Sports News

Sanjay to lead Indian hockey team at Sultan Azlan Shah Cup; Harmanpreet, Manpreet and other seniors rested | Sports News

Published by Webster

Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh has been rested as defender Sanjay will lead the Indian men’s hockey team at the upcoming Sultan Azlan Shah Cup starting from November 23 in Ipoh, Malaysia. Coach Craig Fulton has gone with his B side resting several senior players including first choice goalkeepers Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera. Apart from the goalkeepers, midfield veteran Manpreet Singh and striker Mandeep are also not part of the team. Young goalkeepers Pawan and Mohith HS will take the guard in the goal while Sanjay, Jugraj Singh, and Amit Rohidas will lead the defensive line up along with Povanna CB, Nilam Sanjeep Xess and Yashdeep Siwach. Jugraj will have the additional responsibility of taking penalty corners. The midfield will be marshalled by Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem, Vivek Sagar Prasad and Mohammed Raheel Mouseen. The attack will be led by Sukhjeet Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Selvam Karthi, Aditya Arjun Lalage, Dilpreet Singh and Abhishek. Story continues below this ad The standbys for the tournament include Varun Kumar, Vishnu Kant …

Hockey star Manpreet Singh loses six kilos, develops six packs to prolong career

Hockey star Manpreet Singh loses six kilos, develops six packs to prolong career

Published by Webster

And just like that, he breaks ice over an eternal sporting dilemma — the ageing athlete. For a decade-and-a-half, since debuting in 2011, he’s witnessed the insecurities that creep into a players’ psyche, the pitfalls of living in denial of their fading superpowers, and the endless chatter over their relevance. “I didn’t want people to think that I am taking it easy; that I have become slow…” the former captain, 32, says. Story continues below this ad Last September, he had his first brush with reality. India ended the international season with the Asian Champions Trophy title, a month after the Paris Olympics bronze medal, and Manpreet — though overjoyed — experienced an unfamiliar feeling. During the tournament, he felt his feet dragging, reflexes slowing down and huffing and puffing almost every time he had to chase the ball. “I felt heavy,” he says. When he stepped on the weighing scale, the needle stopped at 73 kg. “It was the heaviest I had ever been!” The weight gain, albeit just 3 kilos, was a direct …

FIH Pro League: With concerns around workload, Hardik returns to make significant impact in win vs Germany | Hockey News

FIH Pro League: With concerns around workload, Hardik returns to make significant impact in win vs Germany | Hockey News

Published by Webster

So crowded was India’s defensive third, it would’ve paled in comparison with the peak-hour Mumbai suburban railway station rush. In a tiny area on the right flank, near the 23m line in India’s half, nearly half a dozen German white shirts were hassling their opponents in blue, trying to snatch the ball from them and attack the goal. In such a tight space, the ball landed on the stick of Hardik Singh. In a millisecond, without even having to look up, Hardik launched an aerial ball that travelled more than 50m and landed straight on Lalit Upadhyay’s stick inside the German defence. The breathtaking pass did not lead to a goal. But it was exactly the kind of inventiveness India lacked on Tuesday when they succumbed to a 1-4 defeat to Germany in the FIH Pro League. Less than 24 hours later, with Hardik back in the team — along with captain Harmanpreet Singh — India turned things around, keeping a clean sheet and beating the world champions 1-0. The difference in the quality of …