NEW DELHI: Two penalty shootout makes an attempt, when put next, can inform the story of Harmanpreet Singh’s transformation from a participant who just about considered strolling away to turning into one in every of the world’s greatest defenders and, now, the recipient of India’s highest sporting honor — the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award,
At 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 obtained majority of the flak for his repeated failures on drag-flicks.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Harmanpreet was challenged by the Great Britain custodian Ollie Payne to go previous him in the shootout. Beating him with a 180-diploma 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 medalist, Asian Games gold medalist, three-time FIH Player of the 12 months, the high-scorer of the Paris Olympics, a Khel Ratna winner and arguably the world’s greatest 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 are 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 successful the Olympic medal is a proud second for me. There’s quite a lot of laborious 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’re feeling that after the beginning of your daughter, luck has shone on you, making you a greater participant…
It’s very true. You should have listened to that Punjabi track, ‘Haque di mai khavan chahe thodi hello hove, fer bhavein shaesar di oh pudi hello hove, finish tak karugi pyar mainu ju, jado bacha hoya mere kudi hello hove (at any time when I turn out to be a father, it ought to be a woman)’. See I sang a track too for you (smiles).
I at all times needed my first youngster to be a daughter. Since the day she was born, there have been extra joyful moments in the household. She’s getting naughty now rising up. I can say that my life has modified since she arrived in our world.
You are presently taking part in for the Soorma Hockey Club in the Hockey India League (HIL) in its second avatar and had been additionally a part of the league from 2013 to 2017. How totally different is it from then to now?
I used to be a younger participant again then and did not have a lot information. It was a studying part for me, however HIL gave a platform that helped my sport quite a bit. When 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 information whereas nonetheless studying as a lot as I can. Now there are tasks I’ve to reside as much as, apart from the expectations and guiding the younger weapons. I’m having fun with it.
Where 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. Whatever time I’ve spent with Harendra (Singh) coach saab, the fundamentals that we discuss about, the quantity of laborious work he made us do, it has helped and continues to be serving to in my journey, be it the drag-flick or as a defender. I believe after we received the Junior World Cup, that explicit journey was outstanding and taught me quite a bit.
Do you idolize anybody?
When I began hockey, I used to look as much as Jugraj (Singh) paji. When I used to be at the academy, we used to go and watch his matches. I admired him, and nonetheless do. Of course, our bond may be very robust now. He treats me as his youthful brother.
Your profession graph went from the 2023 World Cup catastrophe to turning into one in every of the greatest drag-glints in the world who led India to an Olympic medal in Paris. Your ideas.
That (2023 World Cup) was a troublesome time for me. When we misplaced that match (crossover sport towards New Zealand), I used to be completely shattered. I even thought ‘that’s it, my profession was solely this lengthy’. But household’s help and teammates’ belief performed an enormous function, and mattered quite a bit. My staff stood by me, from day one until now. That factor has been my energy. Of course, I re-centered, watched my movies, noticed the place I made errors and labored on that. I believe on account of all of that, I’ve been in a position to enhance myself and do properly now.
How powerful is it to be a dragflicker?
Of course, it is a very powerful job individually as a drag-flicker as a result of it is getting very troublesome for glints (to attain) in at this time’s hockey due to the high quality of goaltenders and first rushers (chopping angles and scoring alternatives on penalty corners). We have the world’s greatest first-rusher in Amit Rohidas. We attempt to have conversations with one another, attempting to learn one another’s thoughts. Like for me, when he rushes, what are his ideas, his plans. That helps too.
The point out of Rohidas reminds of the quarter-remaining towards Great Britain at the Paris Olympics. Playing with 10 males for 47 of the 60 minutes is unthinkable in trendy hockey. But you guys not simply held the Britishers to 1-1 in regulation time but in addition went on to win in the shootout. How did you pull that one off?
Since the day I began taking part in hockey, I had been listening to that India concedes a purpose in the final minute, why cannot they repair this downside. I believe that match has set an instance for how one can deal with no matter occurs in life or throughout a match, no matter the state of affairs. We used to visualise (in observe classes) what’s the worst we are able to face, a card or anything — suppose about these issues and simulate these conditions in coaching, play with lesser gamers on one facet and see what will likely be the response, construction , place-clever function. The belief and confidence inside the staff issues quite a bit in these conditions.
When the Rohida 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 must defend for many of the match, and each participant got here up and stated, ‘this place is my duty, I will not let the ball by’. That dedication was one in every of the nice issues, and it was one in every of the greatest matches for me, the staff, whole India and historical past.
When we received, there have been quite a lot of feelings. Some had been crying, some yelling. Sumit took his shirt off in celebration; we needed to inform him to manage himself. It additionally concerned quite a lot of laborious work behind the scenes by our coaches, how well they skilled us. We had been very robust construction-clever.
There was additionally a second once you had a verbal duel of kinds with the Great Britain goalkeeper. What had been you guys speaking about?
Not a lot. I used to be going to take the shootout, however due to some technical difficulty, I used to be requested to restart. When I used to be 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 stated a few phrases to him out of affection (laughs).
(Photo Source: X)
What’s one profession goal you need to obtain earlier than you cling your stick?
Our targets are very clear — to additional enhance the staff’s understanding and rhythm in the Pro League matches this season and win the Asia Cup to qualify for the World Cup. Our fundamental goal 100% is the World Cup; hopefully we’ll win it. That’s our first goal. Of course, the different dream is to win a gold medal at the Olympics. That pursuit continues to be on.
