India men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh: I want the world to remember this team for counter attacks too | Hockey News

Men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh has been nominated for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award. The 27-year-old captained India to a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, the country’s second third-place finish in a row. In a chat with The Indian Express, Harmanpreet spoke about his evolution as a drag-flicker, his role in the team and his vision for the Indian hockey team.Excerpts.
Harmanpreet Singh: Pressure, kis cheez da pressure (Pressure, pressure of what). For me, every player in the team is a sarpanch or captain or whatever one can call it. If each player in the team plays as per the responsibility given, he is captain of that aspect. We always talk about the team not individuals and I am glad that each member of the team understands that.
How did your journey as a drag-flicker begin?
Harmanpreet Singh: It’s been more than 10 years since I started drag-flicking. When I was at the Surjit Hockey Academy (Jalandhar), I watched seniors practice the drag-flick and then I started practicing on the six-a-side turf. Initially, I had started as a forward, then played as a defender before becoming a drag-flicker. Jugraj Singh paaji was my role model and I discussed nuances of drag-flicking with him. I used to imitate his style and observe his technique. How he took a step towards the ball, his body posture when he released the ball. He told me how body strength plays a role. He also used to emphasize that the release and jerk too is dependent on body strength as well as coordination between the mind and body.
What is your favourite variation and does it keep evolving?
Harmanpreet Singh: I guess my favourite variation is to the goal-keeper’s left side. One of the toughest goal-keepers I have faced is Belgium’s Vincent Vanasch, who is a teammate at the Soorma Hockey Club in the Hockey India League. The kind of experience he has makes him one of the best. It also depends on the rushers. The rushers block the left side (of the goalkeeper) so one also has to think of the right side. The first time I looked at the role of a drag flicker professionally was when I joined the junior hockey team. I would spend more time in the gym as I understood strength is necessary if I have to survive at the international level. I would also explore different angles or variations.
As a drag-flicker, which has been your favourite goal or variation?
Harmanpreet Singh: I guess I rate the goals scored in the 2022 Commonwealth Games as well as the 2017 Asian Cup as one of my best goals. Against Pakan, I thought about hitting towards the goalkeeper’s left but then sometimes goalies also trick us with their initial stance. When I was just about to finish, I noticed that he was going towards his left and the rushers were coming fast. So I changed my approach and hit the shot towards the right. Modern hockey sees rushers being more athletic and well built so we drag-flickers have to try the variations too. Whether it’s a low shot or a shot to the top, the swiftness of the decision is the key.
How do you see your role outside of being a drag-flicker?
Harmanpreet Singh: Well, the role has evolved. We have seen drag-flickers being rotated after every 3-4 minutes but nowadays drag flickers have to be on the field as much as any other player. Starting off as a forward and then a defender has helped me. During the Rio Olympics, I used to have conversations with seniors like Rupinder Pal paaji and V Raghunath paaji. Both of them told me that I also have to spend time on passing skills, man-to-man marking… I don’t think of myself as just a drag-flicker but as a central defender too.
The Indian team plays zonal as well as man-to-man marking style too. What did it take to change the earlier approach of passing and pushing?
Harmanpreet Singh: Indian hockey too has evolved. Whether it’s man-to-man or zonal hockey, we can mix it according to what the situation demands. And these two Olympic medals are testament to this. All this credit goes to the coaches. Lots of ideas and practice went towards developing this adaptive style of play. It took us close to two years to achieve. The best example of zonal style was our quarterfinal match against Great Britain in Paris. Though we lost one man early, each of us knew that we were responsible for our zones. We had practiced that and that’s what kept us in the game till the last moment. We showed that we can play according to the situation. We believed in ourselves and our skills and that’s what worked for us
Your thoughts on foreign coach Craig Fulton and the changes he has brought to the team?
Harmanpreet Singh: I believe that in modern hockey a coach does not change many things. One thing which Craig Fulton has brought to the team is to play according to the situation and make swift changes as per the situation. His reading of the game situation has helped the team and his knowledge comes handy in tough situations. His clear communication has been the key.

India scored a horic win against Australia after 52 years in Paris. Do you see such wins coming regularly?
Harmanpreet Singh: Well, when we went to Australia prior to Paris, we knew that some players were new in the team and we wanted them to learn. The losses during that tour helped us to understand what we needed to do and that’s what we achieved against Australia in Paris. It was one of our biggest wins and as a team, as a captain, I am glad that each one of us played tactically. Whether it was zonal style or man-to-man or defence or attack, we executed our plans well. I want the world to remember this team for their counter attacks too in the coming years. We want to remain among the top three-to-four teams.

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