All posts tagged: Manpreet

Manpreet Singh eyes World Cup glory after historic 413th cap milestone

Manpreet Singh eyes World Cup glory after historic 413th cap milestone

Published by Webster

Fresh off becoming India’s most-capped men’s hockey player with 413 international appearances, veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh made it clear that the landmark achievement is not the finish line but another milestone in a journey still driven by bigger ambitions: winning the FIH Hockey World Cup and pursuing Olympic gold. Addressing the media during a press conference arranged by Hockey India after surpassing Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey’s long-standing record of 412 caps, Manpreet reflected on his remarkable 15-year international career, the sacrifices behind his longevity, and the goals that continue to fuel him at the age of 33. While the record places him among the sport’s greatest-ever players, Manpreet insisted that his focus remains firmly on team success. “My dream has always been to play for India and win medals for the country. We have won Olympic bronze medals, but the hunger is still there. I haven’t won the World Cup yet, and Olympic gold remains a dream. Those are the things that continue to motivate me every day,” he said. With the FIH Hockey …

How reinvention made Manpreet Singh India’s most-capped hockey player

How reinvention made Manpreet Singh India’s most-capped hockey player

Published by Webster

4 min readMumbaiJun 18, 2026 07:00 AM IST When India finished last at the 2012 London Olympics, Manpreet Singh was a teenager still trying to establish himself in international hockey. Fourteen years later, on Wednesday, when he took the field against Germany in Rotterdam for his 413th international appearance, becoming the most-capped player in the history of Indian hockey by overtaking Dilip Tirkey, he was one of the last remaining links to that team. Between those two moments lies perhaps the most turbulent and transformative period in Indian hockey history. India have gone from humiliation to Olympic medals, from rebuilding to resurgence. Coaches have come and gone, tactical systems have evolved, and entire generations of players have passed through the national setup. Through all of it, Manpreet remained. That is what makes the milestone remarkable. In Indian hockey, a single year can feel like a lifetime. It is a sport governed by brutal physical demands, relentless competition for places and an administrative ecosystem that has rarely been known for patience. Players are often only a …

Manpreet Singh returns to Indian men’s hockey team national camp | Hockey News

Manpreet Singh returns to Indian men’s hockey team national camp | Hockey News

Published by Webster

Former Indian skipper and double Olympic medallist Manpreet Singh has returned to the Indian camp after missing out on the Australian leg of the FIH Pro League. The 36-member core probable will train at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Bengaluru from April 20 to May 9. Manpreet, who is the Indian player with second most caps after Dilip Tirkey, was rested after the Indian leg of FIH Pro League. The Indian men’s team have European leg of the FIH Pro League 2025-56, World Cup, and Asian Games coming up in a packed calendar. The goalkeeping unit features experienced names including Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Suraj Karkera and Pawan, alongside emerging talents such as Mohith Honnenahalli Shashikumar and Princedeep Singh. In defence, the team will be anchored by stalwarts like Harmanpreet Singh and Amit Rohidas, supported by Jarmanpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit, and a promising pool comprising Poovanna Chandura Boby, Yashdeep Siwach, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, and Amandeep Lakra. The midfield sees a strong blend of experience and youth, with Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, …

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. …

One match short of equalling record, former hockey captain Manpreet Singh dropped; ‘rested’, says coach Fulton | Hockey News

One match short of equalling record, former hockey captain Manpreet Singh dropped; ‘rested’, says coach Fulton | Hockey News

Published by Webster

3 min readJan 29, 2026 04:12 PM IST Former captain Manpreet Singh was dropped from the 33-member national team core group for next month’s Hockey Pro League. Manpreet, who is a game short of becoming India’s most-capped player, is the most notable omission, along with goalkeeper Krishan Pathak. A senior Hockey India official said the team management is looking to assess young players ahead of a busy season that includes the World Cup in August followed by the Asian Games. Manpreet’s exclusion, though, raises eyebrows as he is the only senior outfield player to be left out. “It is the coach’s decision. He wanted to test new players and saw Pro League as an opportunity to do it. Manpreet will be back in the squad for the next national team assignment,” a Hockey India official said. The camp, to begin in Rourkela next week, is part of India’s preparations for the upcoming phase of the FIH Pro League, to be held at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium from February 10 to 15. The home …

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 …

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 …

What makes Jalandhar, the biggest nursery and coaching centre of Indian hockey | Hockey News

What makes Jalandhar, the biggest nursery and coaching centre of Indian hockey | Hockey News

Published by Webster

The entrance to Balbir Singh’s home, nestled in one of the sleepy residential colonies of Jalandhar, leads into a gallery that serves as a shrine to the glory days of his past. The walls adorn memorabilia from his hockey-playing days, when he won bronze at the 1968 Mexico Olympics and gold at the 1966 Asian Games. But more importantly for him, they are a reminder that his tiny village, Sansarpur, now surrounded by a sprawling town, produced some of India’s greatest Olympians of the post-colonial era. “Go around (town) and you will see hockey is in our blood,” he says. For decades, Punjab and hockey have been synonymous in a way few regions are known for sports in India. And if Punjab was considered the sport’s spiritual home, Jalandhar was its hub. Even as other regions – from Karnataka to Odisha – began producing hockey players en masse, that maxim continues to hold a grain of truth even today. Eight of the 16 members of the squad that won bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics …