A World Cup medal hasn’t come for a long time: Harmanpreet Singh

India's men's hockey team captain, Harmanpreet Singh, has carved a name for himself on the world stage with two Olympic bronze medals, but the elusive World Cup remains a missing piece in his illustrious career.

The 29-year-old defender, who led the team to second consecutive Olympic bronze at Paris, is determined to correct this anomaly in the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

"The goal will always be to bag Olympic gold and a World Cup medal. The way we performed in Paris shows that we can compete with top teams and win," Harmanpreet told PTI.

He added, "Our immediate target is the next FIH Pro League matches, and then to win the Asia Cup and qualify directly for the World Cup. A World Cup medal hasn’t come for a long time and I want to fulfil that in my career."

Excitement around Hockey India League (HIL)

Harmanpreet’s stock continues to rise, and he was recently the top bidder at the Hockey India League (HIL) auction, where he was purchased by Soorma Hockey Club of Punjab for Rs 78 lakh.

This marks the revival of the HIL after a seven-year hiatus, and Harmanpreet believes it will be a great platform for young players to learn and develop.

“The biggest thing is that HIL is starting again. Happy that the highest bid was for me. These things give you motivation. Financially also you need to be strong. These things help in personal life," he said.

He emphasized the importance of the HIL for young players, saying, “HIL is a good opportunity for youngsters to learn. In my career, HIL helped me a lot, and definitely, it is a chance to play against top players of the world. HIL is going to benefit Indian hockey in future."

While the high price tag may attract attention, Harmanpreet is unfazed and remains focused on his responsibility. “There is no pressure because till the last day of my career every match will be tough. I will take it as a responsibility," he concluded.