Rourkela: As the umpire signalled with his whistle, directing both index fingers towards the goal, the crowd of 10,000 at the Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium erupted in jubilation. The excitement stemmed from the awarding of a penalty corner (PC) to Soorma Hockey Club, indicating that Harmanpreet Singh would be executing the drag-flick.

The atmosphere intensified as Harmanpreet Singh, who is set to celebrate his 29th birthday on Monday, focused intently on the pusher’s stick, positioning himself at the top of the D. The ball arrived, the flick was executed, and a chorus of ‘oohs!’ followed as he narrowly missed the opportunity.

Recognized as the most prominent figure in Indian hockey today, the three-time FIH Player of the Year fills a void that had long been felt. With Harmanpreet emerging as the leading representative of Indian hockey, the absence of a star player is no longer an issue, as evidenced by the throngs who lingered after the match for a chance to see the two-time Olympic bronze medallist.

On a brisk Thursday evening, despite battling a fever, cough, and cold, Harmanpreet Singh participated in the Hockey India League (HIL) match against UP Rudras after taking a couple of medications.

His unwavering commitment to the sport has earned him the distinction of being the sixth hockey player to receive India’s highest sporting accolade, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, joining the ranks of Dhanraj Pillay, Sardar Singh, Rani Rampal, Manpreet Singh, and PR Sreejesh.

“He has remained unchanged since his early days. He was a composed defender then, and he continues to be one who prioritizes the team over personal accolades. For him, it is never about 'I'; it is always about 'we.' Even now, he dedicates all his achievements to the team,” remarks Harendra Singh, who has coached Harmanpreet at both junior and senior levels.

“However, what stands out the most is his insatiable desire to learn. I have witnessed many athletes who, after achieving success, believe they have surpassed the sport. He remains grounded. For him, failure signifies the start of a learning process.”

This is indeed the case. Following the triumph of securing bronze at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, the Indian captain's subpar performance contributed to their premature exit from the 2023 World Cup.

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