Harmanpreet Singh hungry for Hockey World Cup glory after two Olympic bronze medals

India’s men’s hockey team captain, Harmanpreet Singh, is eyeing a long-awaited World Cup triumph to add to his glittering cabinet of two Olympic bronze medals. While he cherishes his Tokyo and Paris Olympic successes, the 27-year-old remains determined to end India’s World Cup medal drought, which stretches back to their historic gold in 1975 under Ajitpal Singh’s captaincy.

In a conversation with PTI, Harmanpreet expressed his unwavering ambition to claim both Olympic gold and a World Cup medal during his career. “The way we performed in Paris shows that we can compete with the top teams and win,” said the drag-flick specialist. “A World Cup medal hasn’t come for a long time, and I want to fulfil that in my career.”

India has won three World Cup medals in its history: bronze in 1971, silver in 1973, and gold in 1975. Harmanpreet, who also led India to a Junior World Cup win in 2016, sees the senior team’s resurgence as a sign of brighter days ahead. “We will not surrender till we achieve that,” he vowed.

Harmanpreet is currently honing his drag-flick skills to stay ahead of the competition and prolong his career. “Drag-flicking is getting tougher, and my goal is to bring in more variations and remain fit,” he said.

The Indian team’s immediate focus lies on the upcoming FIH Pro League matches and securing the Asia Cup to qualify directly for the next World Cup. Harmanpreet is optimistic about reliving India’s golden hockey days with the current generation of players.

The return of the Hockey India League (HIL) after seven years has given Harmanpreet and Indian hockey a fresh shot of energy. At the recent HIL auction, Harmanpreet became the highest-paid player, with the Soorma Hockey Club of Punjab bidding ?78 lakh for his services.

“The HIL is a great platform for youngsters to learn and prepare for international hockey. It played a significant role in my own career, and I believe it will help produce future stars for India,” Harmanpreet said.

Despite his hefty price tag, Harmanpreet remains unfazed. “There’s no pressure. Every match is a responsibility, and I’ll approach the HIL with the same mindset.”

Interestingly, Harmanpreet’s journey in hockey began by chance. Growing up with a love for multiple sports, he was introduced to hockey by a school coach. “Hockey chose me,” he admitted, adding that he became an instant fan after picking up the stick at age seven or eight.

Harmanpreet also credited Indian women’s hockey team coach Harendra Singh for shaping his career and praised emerging talent like drag-flicker Deepika. “She is in safe hands under Harry sir,” he said, confident on the women’s team’s bright future.