Harmanpreet Singh Celebrates Milestone and Shares Insights from Meeting Virat Kohli

Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of the Indian men's hockey team, recently celebrated his achievement of 250 international caps and shared his memorable encounter with cricket legend Virat Kohli. Expressing admiration for Kohli's humility and dedication, Singh reflected on their conversation and his pride in reaching this milestone. As the team prepares for the FIH World Cup 2026, Singh emphasizes the importance of learning from past experiences, particularly with an upcoming match against Pakistan. His insights provide a glimpse into the mindset of elite athletes as they gear up for significant challenges ahead.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 28, 2026, 01:03 IST

Harmanpreet Singh's Memorable Encounter with Virat Kohli

The captain of the Indian men's hockey team, Harmanpreet Singh, recently shared his experience of meeting cricket superstar Virat Kohli. He expressed his joy at receiving an award during the Hockey India 8th Annual Awards 2025 for achieving 250 international caps. On Wednesday, Harmanpreet took to Instagram to post a photo with Kohli, highlighting his admiration for the cricketer's commitment and work ethic, noting that top athletes across various sports often share a similar pursuit of excellence.

A Humble Conversation

After receiving his award, Harmanpreet spoke to the media about his delightful interaction with Kohli, describing him as a humble individual. He shared, "I felt really great. He is such a humble person. We conversed in Punjabi, and I am thrilled to have met him." Harmanpreet also expressed pride in reaching the milestone of 250 caps, stating, "Completing 250 caps is a significant achievement for me, and I am very pleased to receive this award."

Looking Ahead to Future Matches

India is set to compete in Pool D at the upcoming FIH World Cup 2026, where they will face England, Pakistan, and Wales, starting their journey against Wales on August 15. Additionally, a highly anticipated FIH Pro League match against Pakistan is scheduled in the UK around June 23, 2026. Harmanpreet emphasized the importance of learning from previous experiences to enhance team performance. He stated, "We have a strong opportunity ahead, especially against Pakistan in England. We will analyze our past performances to improve. With 10 weeks before the Pro League, we aim to avoid repeating past mistakes and deliver a confident team performance."