New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): As Indian hockey continues to have a good time 100 years of its wealthy legacy, Manpreet Singh, who is among the biggest servants of the sport within the trendy period, has achieved a feat no Indian participant has managed earlier than.
The midfield maestro etched his identify into the game’s historical past books by turning into India’s most-capped hockey participant, showing in his 413th match, in line with a launch.
Manpreet surpassed Dilip Tirkey, who can be presently the Hockey India President and held the file till now with 412 worldwide appearances in his adorned profession.
Manpreet surpassed that mark throughout India’s FIH Hockey Pro League 2025/26 conflict towards Germany in Rotterdam on Wednesday.
In recognition of the monumental achievement, Hockey India congratulated Manpreet and likewise introduced a money reward of 10 lakh for the star playmaker.
For greater than a decade and a half, Manpreet has been the heartbeat of Indian hockey — the relentless engine in midfield, the chief in moments of strain and the embodiment of consistency on the highest degree.
Since making his senior debut as a fearless 19-year-old in 2011, he has been on the centre of India’s resurgence on the world stage, serving to form some of the profitable eras within the nation’s trendy hockey historical past.
Now, with a file that when appeared untouchable, Manpreet has cemented his legacy among the many biggest gamers ever to put on the Indian jersey.
The achievement additionally elevates Manpreet into some of the unique golf equipment in world hockey.
With 413 worldwide appearances, he now sits fifth on the all-time record of males’s worldwide caps, behind Belgium’s John-John Dohmen (481), Netherlands’ Teun de Nooijer (453), Australia’s Eddie Ockenden (451), and Great Britain’s Barry Middleton (432). While he surpassed Tirkey’s mark, Manpreet can be forward of fellow legends within the 400-caps membership — Pakistan’s Waseem Ahmed (410) and Netherlands’ Jeroen Delmee (401).
Remarkably, the 33-year-old is the one energetic participant in world hockey with over 400 caps, underlining not solely his longevity but in addition a unprecedented degree of consistency and excellence sustained over 15 years on the highest degree.
From enduring a difficult Olympic debut at London 2012 to captaining India to a historic bronze medal on the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Manpreet’s journey has mirrored the resurgence of Indian hockey on the worldwide stage.
Along the way in which, he performed key roles in India’s gold-medal-winning campaigns on the 2014 and 2022 Asian Games, Asia Cup triumphs in 2017 and 2025, a number of Asian Champions Trophy titles and back-to-back Olympic bronze medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games.
One of the best and fittest midfielders of his era, Manpreet, who hails from Mithapur, Jalandhar, was conferred with the Arjuna Award in 2018 and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2021 in recognition of his distinctive contribution to Indian hockey.
More than a file, Manpreet’s 413th look is a celebration of an period. It is the story of a participant who advanced from a proficient teenager into one of many defining figures of contemporary Indian hockey, carrying the hopes of a nation throughout continents, competitions and generations. With each cap, Manpreet has added a chapter to Indian hockey’s resurgence; with this one, he has secured a spot in its historical past which will stand for years to come back.
Expressing his happiness on reaching the milestone, Manpreet mentioned, ‘It is a really proud second for me to have performed so many matches for India. Representing the nation has all the time been the most important honour of my life and reaching this milestone makes me extraordinarily pleased.’
‘I dedicate this achievement to my teammates and thank Hockey India for its assist each step of the way in which throughout my profession. Every participant who has shared the sector with me has contributed to this journey. Through all of the highs and lows of my profession, my teammates have stood by me and supported me. I might additionally prefer to dedicate this milestone to my household, particularly my mom, brothers, spouse and kids, who’ve supported me unconditionally from the very starting,’ he added.
Speaking about what continues to drive him, Manpreet, who will flip 34 later this month, mentioned, ‘What motivates me is that I’ve all the time had a dream to play for India and win medals for the nation. I’m so proud to have received medals in back-to-back Olympics with the group. The World Cup and the dream of successful Olympic gold proceed to encourage me daily. My youngsters additionally encourage me lots. The assist of my household and teammates fills me with power to provide my greatest each time I step onto the sector and make them proud.’
Congratulating Manpreet on the historic achievement, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey mentioned, ‘Becoming the most-capped participant in Indian hockey historical past is actually a unprecedented accomplishment and one which displays Manpreet’s outstanding dedication, consistency and fervour for the game. To symbolize the nation on the highest degree for therefore a few years and preserve such distinctive requirements is a uncommon achievement.’
‘Manpreet has performed a central position in lots of the group’s biggest successes in latest occasions, together with the historic return to Olympic podium with a bronze medal in Tokyo. Records are supposed to encourage future generations and I’m delighted to see this milestone achieved by a participant who has given a lot to Indian hockey. On behalf of Hockey India, I congratulate him and need him many extra memorable moments within the Indian jersey.’
Hockey India Secretary General Shri Bhola Nath Singh additionally lauded the veteran midfielder’s contribution to Indian hockey and mentioned, ‘Manpreet Singh’s journey is an instance of dedication, dedication and excellence. To change into India’s most-capped hockey participant is a testomony to the laborious work and self-discipline he has displayed all through his profession. Over the years, he has persistently delivered for the group in a few of the greatest tournaments on the international stage and has impressed our younger gamers by means of his performances and management.’
‘This milestone is just not solely a private achievement for Manpreet but in addition a proud second for Indian hockey. We congratulate him on this historic feat and need him continued success forward.’ (ANI)