Indian hockey was in excellent shape when Manpreet Singh, then 19 years old, dashed across the field in 2011 while wearing the senior Indian team jersey for the first time. After fourteen years, the squad has improved dramatically and undergone several changes, winning consecutive Olympic bronze medals at the Paris and Tokyo Olympics. Manpreet loomed over the midfield area, leading it all.

Another red letter day in Manpreet Singh's illustrious career was June 15, 2015. In the FIH Pro League encounter against Australia in Antwerp, Belgium, he became just the second Indian to compete in 400 international games. What was his greatest reward? The Australian players' respect, who offered Manpreet a Guard of Honour as he exited the field beaming, together with the Indian players. Typically, an athlete receives a guard of honour for their final game, but Australia chose to bestow it upon Manpreet on his 400th appearance.

Eddie Ockenden, an Australian midfielder and proud member of the 400 club, which has just eight members, including Manpreet, also gave him a signed Australian jersey.

Manpreet Singh, 33, has been the pulse of India's midfield for more than ten years. He is from Mithapur, Punjab, a place that is well-known in Indian hockey history.

The Accomplished Career of Manpreet Singh

Throughout his illustrious career, Manpreet has assisted India in winning several significant championships, such as:

four gold medals in the Asian Champions Trophy (2013, 2018, 2023, 2024)

two gold medals from the Asian Games (2014, 2023)

two Olympic bronze medals (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024)

two silver medals from the Commonwealth Games (2022, 2014)

Podium finishes in the FIH World League (2014–15, 2016–17) and the Hockey Champions Trophy (2018)

Among other honors, he has received the Arjuna Award (2018), the FIH Men's Player of the Year (2019), and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2021).

An emotional Manpreet remarked on the accomplishment:

"I can still feel the chills from my first match. Being here 400 matches later is something I could never have fathomed. I share this accomplishment with every coach who encouraged me, every teammate who supported me, and every fan who had faith in me when I needed it most. "I'm still learning and developing, and I play with the same eagerness now as I did when I was 19."

Dilip Tikey responds

Dilip Tirkey, the President of Hockey India and the holder of the national record for the most international appearances, praised Manpreet's steadfastness and commitment.

"Only a handful of competitors reach this degree of stamina. Through its most transformative decade, Indian hockey has been supported by Manpreet. He stands out because of his fitness, leadership, and calmness under pressure. It's wonderful to see him continue the tradition so gracefully.

Despite Manpreet's significant achievement, India suffered a 2-3 defeat in the FIH Pro League. Australia's victory was secured by goals from Tim Brand (4'), Blake Govers (5'), and Cooper Burns (18'), while India got goals from Sanjay (3') and Dilpreet Singh (36').