After clinching a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, the Indian men’s hockey team is ready for their next big challenge — facing Germany in back-to-back matches in New Delhi on October 23rd and 24th. This marks the first time in over a decade that the Indian hockey team will play in the nation’s capital. The two matches at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium have become highly anticipated, especially considering the fierce competition India faced against Germany in recent tournaments.
India’s bronze medal run in the Olympics saw them lose to Germany in a tense 3-2 semi-final clash, adding fuel to the rivalry between the two teams. With these upcoming matches in New Delhi, the Indian team is determined to make a statement. Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh has made it clear: “Our intention is to win both matches.” Alongside Harmanpreet, vice-captain Vivek Sagar Prasad and star forward Mandeep Singh, who all shared their thoughts during an exclusive conversation with NBT, discussed the team’s preparation and mindset going into this series.
A Look Back: The Battle Against Great Britain
When asked about their most memorable match, the trio — Harmanpreet, Vivek, and Mandeep — had no hesitation in pointing to their quarterfinal win against Great Britain at the Paris Olympics. What made this victory so special? The Indian team played for 43 minutes with only 10 players due to red and green card penalties. Reflecting on that moment, Harmanpreet shared, “It was an intense match, especially with a player down. But we were determined to stay positive and not give up.”
Vivek added, “In those tough moments, team coordination becomes key. We didn’t let our courage falter, and that made the difference.” Mandeep chimed in, recalling how the situation felt like a do-or-die moment for the team, as legendary goalkeeper PR Sreejesh had already announced his retirement. “It was on my mind that we had to win this match for Sreejesh Bhai,” Mandeep said.
Preparing for Germany: No Revenge, Just a Desire to Win
The upcoming matches against Germany may seem like a chance for redemption after India’s semi-final loss in Paris, but the players aren’t treating it that way. According to captain Harmanpreet, “Germany is a strong team with some fresh talent. We’ve also got new players. We beat them in Tokyo, and we’re aiming to win both matches in this series too.”
Vivek added, “There’s no revenge narrative here like we had against Australia. We’ve already moved past Paris and are fully focused on winning in New Delhi.”
Fitness Is the Game Changer
In recent years, the Indian team has become known for letting in last-minute goals, but this trend has shifted. Harmanpreet credits the team’s improved fitness for this change. “Fitness has played a huge role. You saw in Paris how we fought until the last minute in every match. Our physical training has made a big difference, and we’ve also sharpened our technical skills,” he explained.
Mandeep echoed these sentiments, adding, “Our mindset has shifted too. The goal now is to fight till the last second, never giving up.”
Life After Sreejesh: The Changing Guard
PR Sreejesh, the veteran goalkeeper, announced his retirement after the Paris Olympics, leaving big shoes to fill. Harmanpreet joked, “Sometimes you find peace without him around,” but quickly became serious, saying, “Sreejesh Bhai’s presence always benefited the team. We’ll miss him, no doubt. But our current goalkeeper, Krishna Bahadur Pathak, trained alongside Sreejesh for years and has stepped up nicely.”
Vivek highlighted Sreejesh’s unique ability to control the team’s mood. “Shree Bhai could heat things up or cool things down, depending on what was needed. He’ll be missed for that.”
The Return of Hockey India League: A Game-Changer for Indian Hockey
For many current players, including Harmanpreet, their journey to the national team began through the Hockey India League (HIL). After a seven-year break, the league is making a comeback, and Harmanpreet believes it will play a crucial role in shaping future players. “When we were juniors, the league gave us tremendous confidence. It’s a huge deal to play alongside players you’ve only seen on TV. Now, with a women’s league being organized too, the impact will be even greater,” Harmanpreet said.
Will There Be a Hockey Movie? Harmanpreet Is Ready—But Not as an Actor!
With movies like Chak De! India inspiring generations of hockey players, fans have often wondered whether another film will be made about the current Indian team’s success. When asked if he’d like to star in such a movie, Harmanpreet laughed, “Look, there are plenty of inspiring stories in our team that deserve to be told, but acting is not my strength. That’s a tough job for me.”
Team Unity: The Secret to Success in Back-to-Back Olympic Campaigns
The Indian team’s consistency over two consecutive Olympic campaigns (Tokyo and Paris) has been impressive, especially with mostly the same players in the squad. Vivek believes that this consistency is one of the reasons behind the team’s success. “Our team has a great mix of juniors and seniors. In the past, the same senior players were around for years, and juniors didn’t feel comfortable sharing their ideas. Now, under Harmanpreet’s leadership, everyone has a voice, and that has made a big difference,” Vivek explained.
Music: The Unofficial Motivation in the Dressing Room
When it comes to keeping spirits high, music plays a crucial role for the Indian team. Harmanpreet revealed that there’s no strict rule on what songs get played, but there’s a clear favorite: “Most of the guys love Gurdas Maan and Sidhu Moosewala. When we head to a match, Maan Sahib’s ‘Dil Da Mamla’ is always on our playlist.”
