''Pleasant surprise'': Harmanpreet Singh on becoming Indian hockey captain
Indervir Grewal
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, July 31
Harmanpreet Singh, 23, has come a long way in a short time. Four years after making his senior India debut as a shy 19-year-old defender, he today donned the mantle of Indian hockey team’s captain. “It came as a pleasant surprise,” he said.
In the absence of regular skipper Manpreet Singh and former captain PR Sreejesh, who have been rested along with other senior players, Harmanpreet will lead India at next month’s Olympics Test event in Japan.
Harmanpreet, who belongs to Jandiala Guru in Amritsar, began his career in 2008 at the Malwa Academy in Ludhiana. After three years, he shifted to Surjit Academy, Jalandhar.
“When he came to us he was a quiet boy,” recalled Avtar Singh, the coach at Surjit Academy. “But he was a quick learner, focussed too.”
These attributes helped Harmanpreet surpass most of his seniors and contemporaries over the next few years. The drag-flick expert’s big break came when he was called for the junior India camp. “When he returned from the camp, his confidence had grown manifold,” observed Avtar Singh.
During the Junior World Cup in 2016, all eyes were on the team. And Harmanpreet was a vital cog in the winning team.
Not only the team’s top drag-flicker, but also top defender, his calmness belied his age. His first major tournament for the senior team turned out to be a huge success. India won the silver medal at the 2016 Champions Troph, with Harmanpreet adjudged the Rising Player of the Tournament. The performance earned him a place in the team for the Rio Olympics. Before Harmanpreet could play his first Junior World Cup, he had already seen his first Olympics. In June, he played his 100th international, against Japan.
His first match as skipper will also be against Japan on August 17. “It is an honour and a big responsibility. I am excited and looking forward to the challenge,” Harmanpreet said. “While Manpreet plays with the ball, Harman initiates moves for others,” Avtar Singh observed. “The coaches believe he has leadership abilities.”
