NEW DELHI: Two penalty shootout makes an attempt, compared, can inform the story of Harmanpreet Singh‘s transformation from a participant who just about considered strolling away to changing into one of many world’s finest defenders and, now, the recipient of India’s highest sporting honour — the Main Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award.
On the 2023 World Cup in Rourkela, an all-at-sea Harmanpreet tried to beat the New Zealand goalkeeper Leon Hayward in a one-on-one shootout with out even getting close to him. He missed, India misplaced and the skipper acquired majority of the flak for his repeated failures on drag-flicks.
On the 2024 Paris Olympics, Harmanpreet was challenged by the Nice Britain custodian Ollie Payne to go previous him within the shootout. Beating him with a 180-degree flip, the India captain sounded the board and gave Payne the ‘have some brains’ signal.
In 2025, the Junior World Cup winner can also be a two-time Olympic medallist, Asian Video games gold medallist, three-time FIH Participant of the yr, the top-scorer of the Paris Olympics, a Khel Ratna winner and arguably the world’s finest drag-flicker.
How did Harmanpreet flip it round? India’s newest Khel Ratna awardee advised TimesofIndia.com in an unique chat about all that and his life round hockey.
You’re simply the sixth hockey participant to win the Khel Ratna. Does it swell the delight additional?
If I see my journey, it has been fabulous. To win the Khel Ratna after profitable the Olympic medal is a proud second for me. There’s lots of exhausting work behind this, dedication and help of my teammates, my household and our federation, which has supported me from day one.
Many who’re near you are feeling that after the start of your daughter, luck has shone on you, making you a greater participant…
It is very true. You should have listened to that Punjabi music, ‘Haque di mai khavan chahe thodi hello hove, fer bhavein zehar di oh pudi hello hove, finish tak karugi pyar mainu ju, jado bacha hoya mere kudi hello hove (at any time when I grow to be a father, it needs to be a lady)’. See I sang a music too for you (smiles).
I all the time needed my first little one to be a daughter. For the reason that day she was born, there have been extra joyful moments within the household. She’s getting naughty now rising up. I can say that my life has modified since she arrived in our world.
You’re presently taking part in for the Soorma Hockey Membership within the Hockey India League (HIL) in its second avatar and have been additionally a part of the league from 2013 to 2017. How completely different is it from then to now?
I used to be a younger participant again then and did not have a lot data. It was a studying section for me, however HIL gave a platform that helped my recreation rather a lot. If you play the HIL as a teen, you’re rubbing shoulders with worldwide gamers, each Indian and abroad. To study from these gamers is an enormous factor. It helped me again then, helped my development.
Now I’m a senior. I’ve gathered some data whereas nonetheless studying as a lot as I can. Now there are obligations I’ve to reside as much as, in addition to the expectations and guiding the younger weapons. I’m having fun with it.
The place do you place the landmark 2016 Junior World Cup win in your profession and the way a lot being a part of a World Cup-winning staff helped you as a participant?
Loads. No matter time I’ve spent with Harendra (Singh) coach saab, the fundamentals that we speak about, the quantity of exhausting work he made us do, it has helped and remains to be serving to in my journey, be it the drag-flick or as a defender. I feel after we gained the Junior World Cup, that exact journey was exceptional and taught me rather a lot.
Do you idolise anybody?
After I began hockey, I used to look as much as Jugraj (Singh) paji. After I was on the academy, we used to go and watch his matches. I admired him, and nonetheless do. After all, our bond could be very sturdy now. He treats me as his youthful brother.
Your profession graph went from the 2023 World Cup catastrophe to changing into among the best drag-flickers on the earth who led India to an Olympic medal in Paris. Your ideas.
That (2023 World Cup) was a tricky time for me. Once we misplaced that match (crossover recreation towards New Zealand), I used to be completely shattered. I even thought ‘that is it, my profession was solely this lengthy’. However household’s help and teammates’ belief performed an enormous function, and mattered rather a lot. My staff stood by me, from day one until now. That factor has been my power. After all, I re-focused, watched my movies, noticed the place I made errors and labored on that. I feel on account of all of that, I’ve been capable of enhance myself and do effectively now.
How powerful is it to be a dragflicker?
After all, it is a very powerful job individually as a drag-flicker as a result of it is getting very tough for glints (to attain) in at this time’s hockey due to the standard of goalkeepers and first rushers (chopping angles and scoring alternatives on penalty corners). We’ve the world’s finest first-rusher in Amit Rohidas. We attempt to have conversations with one another, making an attempt to learn one another’s thoughts. Like for me, when he rushes, what are his ideas, his plans. That too helps.
The point out of Rohidas reminds of the quarter-final towards Nice Britain on the Paris Olympics. Taking part in with 10 males for 47 of the 60 minutes is unthinkable in trendy hockey. However you guys not simply held the Britishers to 1-1 in regulation time but additionally went on to win within the shootout. How did you pull that one off?
For the reason that day I began taking part in hockey, I had been listening to that India concedes a objective within the final minute, why cannot they repair this drawback. I feel that match has set an instance for the best way to deal with no matter occurs in life or throughout a match, regardless of the scenario. We used to visualise (in follow classes) what is the worst we will face, a card or anything — take into consideration these issues and simulate these conditions in coaching, play with lesser gamers on one facet and see what would be the response, construction, position-wise function. The belief and confidence inside the staff issues rather a lot in these conditions.
When the Rohidas purple card occurred, the staff’s power went from 100% to 200%, like ‘koi gal ni (no worries)’. There was perception inside the staff that we’ll nonetheless win this match. We knew that now we should defend for many of the match, and each participant got here up and mentioned, ‘this place is my accountability, I will not let the ball by’. That dedication was one of many nice issues, and it was among the best matches for me, the staff, whole India and historical past.
Once we gained, there have been lots of feelings. Some have been crying, some yelling. Sumit took his shirt off in celebration; we needed to inform him to regulate himself. It additionally concerned lots of exhausting work behind the scenes by our coaches, how well they educated us. We have been very sturdy structure-wise.
There was additionally a second once you had a verbal duel of kinds with the Nice Britain goalkeeper. What have been you guys speaking about?
Not a lot. I used to be going to take the shootout, however due to some technical concern, I used to be requested to restart. After I was going again in the direction of the 23-yard line, the goalkeeper tried to disturb me by saying, ‘I do know what you’ll do and I will not allow you to rating’. I stored quiet then, however as soon as I scored, I simply advised him, ‘See, you did not know’. I mentioned a few phrases to him out of affection (laughs).
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What’s one profession goal you wish to obtain earlier than you cling your stick?
Our targets are very clear — to additional enhance the staff’s understanding and rhythm within the Professional League matches this season and win the Asia Cup to qualify for the World Cup. Our principal goal 100% is the World Cup; hopefully we’ll win it. That is our first goal. After all, the opposite dream is to win a gold medal on the Olympics. That pursuit remains to be on.
