In January, Manpreet Singh was notably absent from the list of core probables for the national camp. This marked a significant moment in his 15-year career, as it was the first time the former captain of the Indian hockey team was excluded from the selection pool for the national squad.
Event Context
Hockey India (HI), along with Manpreet, stated that the 33-year-old midfielder was rested at his own request. However, the truth was more complex. Manpreet, along with several teammates, was actually sidelined for disciplinary reasons stemming from an incident during the December 2025 tour of South Africa.
The two-time Olympic bronze medalist missed the Rourkela and Hobart stages of the Pro League but later rejoined the national camp, enhancing his prospects for a return to the national team.
Having debuted in 2011, the four-time Olympian has faced renewed speculation about his future in the sport. Nonetheless, Manpreet has expressed his ambition to compete until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, stating, “A good World Cup will set us up well for the Asian Games, boosting our confidence and morale. Winning the Asian Games guarantees us a direct spot at the Olympics.”
India’s next matches in the Pro League will be in Rotterdam and London next month.
Player Focus
Controversies are part of every athlete’s journey, whether it’s Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Lionel Messi. The key is to navigate these challenges and concentrate on what we can control. I took a break from social media and spent quality time with my family, traveling to Malaysia, Thailand, and the UAE with my children, which brought me immense joy.
Now at 33, I recognize the importance of maintaining my training. If I were to skip workouts at home and head straight to camp, the sudden increase in physical demands could heighten my injury risk. To avoid this, I’ve committed to consistent practice to ensure I can perform at my best during training—whether with the ball or not—and maximize my contributions,” Manpreet shared.
“Focusing on my fitness, I believe I can continue competing until the Los Angeles Olympics. However, my immediate goals are the World Cup and the Asian Games. The World Cup is particularly significant, as our team hasn’t won a medal since 1975,” he added.
Team Analysis
Returning to the squad is an incredible feeling. For me, representing India has always been the pinnacle of my career. It has been quite a while since I last played, but since my return, I’ve felt a surge of eagerness and enthusiasm to give my all for my team, my country, and my family. Coming back has been a truly rewarding experience, shared Manpreet, who last donned the Indian jersey in December 2025.
I had a discussion with Dilip sir, who reassured me, saying, ‘If you’re fit and performing well, there’s nothing stopping you from continuing. If you’re aiming to break records, go ahead and play.’ His support has been encouraging, and he wants me to extend my career without any limitations.
While the Khel Ratna awardee maintained that he was not dropped from the team, he acknowledged that the pervasive “disturbing outside noise” had an impact on him.
“There was a lot happening around me — just noise, really. It does affect you, but you have to learn to ignore it,” said Manpreet, who famously led India back to the Olympic podium for the first time in 41 years in 2021.
Manpreet also highlighted the importance of his conversations with mental health expert Paddy Upton, who has been collaborating with the Indian team, in helping him navigate through a challenging period.
Match Outlook
“We talked extensively about the importance of focus and choosing what to prioritize. Letting go of certain distractions allows us to simplify life. By honing our attention, we can eliminate the unnecessary noise,” shared Manpreet.
While at home, Manpreet dedicated his efforts to staying fit. He ran daily in his village of Mithapur, visited the gym twice each day, adhered to a strict diet, and followed a consistent fitness regimen to ensure his physical condition remained top-notch.
