Hockey | Manpreet shuts out the noise of him being past his prime

Manpreet Singh is on the threshold of a personal milestone. With 411 international appearances he is one short of the most-capped Indian hockey player Dilip Tirkey. He is aware of the speculation and uncertainty surrounding it, but knows how to insulate himself from distractions.

After donning India’s colours for 15 years, Manpreet has pushed himself to be fighting fit.

However, a school of thought within Hockey India (HI), helmed by former India captain Tirkey, says that the 33-year-old double Olympics bronze medallist midfielder is past his prime.

A HI source claimed that even though the federation had a discussion with head coach Craig Fulton, around the Indo-German hockey Test series in Delhi in October 2024, to ‘remove five-six senior players’ from the Indian side to blood young guns and prepare them for LA28 Olympics, the plan is yet to be executed fully.

In a year that begins with the FIH Pro League in Rourkela in February and is studded with important assignments such as the World Cup and the Asian Games, which offers a direct ticket to the Olympics, Fulton understands the necessity of building a strong squad.

He has no hesitation in underlining that Manpreet has been playing well for Ranchi Royals in the Hockey India League (HIL). “I haven’t seen him move like this for a long time,” said Fulton.

Manpreet’s keenness drives him. “I just want to show that I’m fit. It has always been in my mind that I give my 100 per cent for the team.”

Manpreet focused seriously on his diet, on his gym work, lost six-seven kg of weight in four-five months and tried to gain strength and remain injury-free prior to the Asia Cup in Rajgir last year.

“If you are fit, only then only can you survive in a world-class team. If you are not fit, then you won’t be able to run, you will get tired and make more mistakes.”

Ahead of the team selection for the FIH Pro League, Manpreet didn’t bother about the speculation surrounding his impending landmark. “My goal has always been to represent India. And to win as many medals as possible.

“If I bother about those (distractions), my mind will be somewhere else and I will not be able to play. There’s noise outside. There’re a lot of things that you can’t control.

“There’s a lot of love for Ranchi. I started with Ranchi (Rays). I think my hockey will end with Ranchi,” said Manpreet.