Manpreet Singh Etches His Name In History With 400th India Appearance

As the sun dipped behind the stands of Wilrijkse Plein in Antwerp and the Indian national anthem played once again, there stood a familiar figure바카라�poised, composed, with eyes filled with purpose. For the 400th time, hockey icon Manpreet Singh walked out wearing the India jersey, adding his name to an elite list of legends who have graced the world stage with unwavering consistency and heart.

In that moment, Manpreet wasn바카라�t just a player lining up against Australia in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024/25바카라�he was a symbol of longevity, leadership, and an era that has seen Indian hockey return to global reckoning.

The 33-year-old midfielder from Punjab, a place synonymous with Indian hockey folklore, now stands as the second-highest capped Indian men바카라�s player of all time, behind only former Captain and current Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey (412 caps). What makes Manpreet바카라�s story even more compelling is that it바카라�s far from over.

From his debut in 2011 as a spirited 19-year-old to becoming the heartbeat of the Indian midfield, Manpreet바카라�s career mirrors Indian hockey바카라�s resurgence.

He has won:

· 4 Asian Champions Trophy titles (2013, 2018, 2023, 2024)

· 2 Asian Games Gold medals (2014, 2023)

· 2 Olympic Bronze medals (2020, 2024)

· 2 Commonwealth Games Silver medals (2014, 2022)

· Podium finishes at the 2014-15 and 2016-17 FIH World League and Hockey Champions Trophy in 2018

Manpreet바카라�s consistency on the field has been matched by his recognition off it. His accolades underline his immense contribution to Indian sport:

· Arjuna Award 바카라� 2018

· FIH Men바카라�s Player of the Year 바카라� 2019

· Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 바카라� 2021

· Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Player of the Year 바카라� 2019

· Hockey India Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year 바카라� 2014, 2021

But for Manpreet, it was never about the medals alone. It was about showing up 바카라� every single game and every training session 바카라� with the same fire he felt when he first picked up a stick on the dusty fields of Mithapur, Jalandhar.

Speaking on the milestone, an emotional Manpreet said, 바카라�I still remember the goosebumps I felt in my debut game. To be standing here, 400 games later, is beyond anything I imagined. This milestone is shared with every coach who pushed me, every teammate who backed me, and every fan who believed in me when I needed it most. I바카라�m still learning, still growing 바카라� and I play with the same hunger today as I did at 19.바카라�

Hockey India President and the only Indian player ahead of Manpreet in the all-time caps list, Dr. Dilip Tirkey, lauded the achievement and stated, 바카라�Very few athletes achieve this level of consistency and endurance. Manpreet has been the spine of Indian hockey through its most transformative decade. His fitness, leadership, and composure under pressure set him apart. We are proud to see him carry forward the legacy with such grace.바카라�

Hockey India Secretary General Shri Bhola Nath Singh added, 바카라�400 caps is not just a number 바카라� it바카라�s a legacy built on sacrifice, discipline, and devotion to the sport. Manpreet has set the bar for professionalism and pride in wearing the India jersey. He has been a true ambassador of Indian hockey and a generational role model.바카라�