Manpreet Singh Aims to Break Record with Support from Dilip Tirkey

Indian hockey player Manpreet Singh is on the verge of breaking Dilip Tirkey's record for the most capped player in Indian hockey. With two Olympic bronze medals and numerous accolades, he reflects on his journey and the importance of fitness as he prepares for the Asian Games and FIH World Cup. Tirkey's encouragement fuels his ambition to continue playing and achieve even greater heights in his career. Discover more about Manpreet's aspirations and his thoughts on the future of Indian hockey.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 27, 2026, 14:47 IST

Tirkey Encourages Manpreet to Surpass His Record

Renowned Indian hockey player and Olympic medalist Manpreet Singh revealed that Dilip Tirkey, the president of Hockey India, has expressed his desire for him to break his record and become the most capped Indian player. Tirkey has motivated Manpreet to continue playing for as long as he can.

Having debuted at the age of 18 in 2011, Manpreet is just two matches away from surpassing Tirkey's record of 412 appearances, aiming for a total of 413. The 33-year-old athlete shared these insights during the Hockey India Annual Awards held in New Delhi on Friday.

Reflecting on a Successful Career

Throughout his illustrious career, Manpreet has secured two consecutive Olympic bronze medals at the 2020 and 2024 Games. His accolades also include three Commonwealth Games medals, comprising two silvers, and three Asian Games medals, with two golds among various other achievements. In 2021, he was honored with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

Reflecting on his journey, Manpreet noted the ups and downs he faced. "It has been a long journey, and I feel fortunate to have reached this point. My team has played a significant role in this success. After finishing 12th in 2012, we bounced back to win bronze medals. It has been an incredible journey, from being an 18-year-old who faced disappointment to achieving Olympic success," he remarked.

Learning from Sardar Singh

Discussing his experience playing alongside Sardar Singh, who had a remarkable career with Team India from 2006 to 2018, Manpreet emphasized the importance of learning from such an experienced player. He credited Singh for helping the team break a 40-year medal drought at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. "I learned a lot from Sardar paaji. His experience was invaluable, and we achieved significant milestones together, including the 2014 Asian Games medal and participation in the 2016 Olympics. By 2020, our team had improved significantly," he stated.

Focus on Fitness and Upcoming Tournaments

At 33 years old and with 15 years of experience, Manpreet is concentrating on maintaining his fitness as he prepares for the Asian Games and the FIH World Cup scheduled for this year. "My primary focus is on the Asian Games and ensuring I am fit. Competing at a world-class level in hockey requires peak fitness. This year is crucial for us, as performing well in the Asian Games will help us qualify directly for the Olympics," he concluded.