Bhubaneswar: When 19-year Manpreet Singh made his debut with the junior team in 2011, his stick-work, style and tactical handling earned him the title of ‘Chota Sardar,’ echoing his brilliance to iconic player Sardar Singh.
Six years later, the Jalandhar lad has almost become ‘Sardar Singh’ – he now plays fullback, a position once held by Sardar, and now is also the skipper of the India men’s hockey team, a position Sardar had held for almost eight years. Its a great evolution for ‘Chota Sardar’ to ‘Sardar’. But he has not given up his originality — of being a prankster in the team, and none escaped from his pranks details of which much later.
A regular in the team, Manpreet has continued to win the trust of the changing coaches. So when India starts its run in the Hockey World League Finals on December 1, a lot of hopes will be pinned on this young lad.
But Manpreet wants to remain off any limelight or comparison to focus on his natural game.
“I am learning. In fact, I still consider myself as a junior. There is no age bar for learning. I have played with a lot of talented and experienced players and take inspiration from them. I don’t think I match Sardar Singh. I am Manpreet and happy to be so,” Manpreet told stick2hockey, in an exclusive chat.
Taking over the reins from goalie PR Sreejesh early this year, Manpreet says, the captaincy is just another tag and doesn’t add any pressure on his game.
“Even though I was made the captain, I have hardly changed. During any match, my duty is to give the best shot so that there are no regrets later. Hockey is all about team work, where each player has to perform. It is like each one if the captain of their position on field,” he says.
In fact, he is still a ‘prankster’ and has not spared the new coach Sjored Marijne either.
“The extra tag has not been able to tarnish my image of a prankster. I still engage in a lot of leg-pulling. My recent victim was none other than our coach, whom I threw in the pool,” he laughs off.
However, being a ‘senior’ to many young names in the team, the 25-year old, is the person to rely on whenever the juniors are depressed.
“It so happens that the juniors often get depressed when they make mistakes. Then, it becomes important to motivate them and ensure they don’t lose their mind and heart because that might affect the next game.”
After leading the team in major tournaments like the Hockey World League Semi finals and Asia Cup, Manpreet is ready to take on another challenge – the HWL Finals 2017.
“Besides penalty corner, counter-attack and maintaining defense structure, we are improving on inside the circle shots. There are tough teams here. But on the given day, it is all about how we play in those 60 minutes,” he signs off.