New Delhi,jun 18
As Indian hockey continues to celebrate 100 years of its rich legacy, Manpreet Singh, who is one of the greatest servants of the game in the modern era, has achieved a feat no Indian player has managed before.The midfield maestro etched his name into the sport’s history books by becoming India’s most-capped hockey player, appearing in his 413th match, according to a release.Manpreet surpassed Dilip Tirkey, who is also presently the Hockey India President and held the record until now with 412 international appearances in his decorated career.Manpreet surpassed that mark during India’s FIH Hockey Pro League 2025/26 clash against Germany in Rotterdam on Wednesday. In recognition of the monumental achievement, Hockey India congratulated Manpreet and also announced a cash reward of ?10 lakh for the star playmaker.For more than a decade and a half, Manpreet has been the heartbeat of Indian hockey — the relentless engine in midfield, the leader in moments of pressure and the embodiment of consistency at the highest level.Since making his senior debut as a fearless 19-year-old in 2011, he has been at the centre of India’s resurgence on the world stage, helping shape one of the most successful eras in the country’s modern hockey history.Now, with a record that once seemed untouchable, Manpreet has cemented his legacy among the greatest players ever to wear the Indian jersey.The achievement also elevates Manpreet into one of the most exclusive clubs in world hockey.With 413 international appearances, he now sits fifth on the all-time list of men’s international caps, behind Belgium’s John-John Dohmen (481), Netherlands’ Teun de Nooijer (453), Australia’s Eddie Ockenden (451), and Great Britain’s Barry Middleton (432). While he surpassed Tirkey’s mark, Manpreet is also ahead of fellow legends in the 400-caps club — Pakistan’s Waseem Ahmed (410) and Netherlands’ Jeroen Delmee (401).Remarkably, the 33-year-old is the only active player in world hockey with over 400 caps, underlining not only his longevity but also an extraordinary level of consistency and excellence sustained over 15 years at the highest level. From enduring a challenging Olympic debut at London 2012 to captaining India to a historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Manpreet’s journey has mirrored the resurgence of Indian hockey on the global stage.Along the way, he played key roles in India’s gold-medal-winning campaigns at the 2014 and 2022 Asian Games, Asia Cup triumphs in 2017 and 2025, multiple Asian Champions Trophy titles and back-to-back Olympic bronze medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games.One of the finest and fittest midfielders of his generation, Manpreet, who hails from Mithapur, Jalandhar, was conferred with the Arjuna Award in 2018 and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2021 in recognition of his exceptional contribution to Indian hockey. More than a record, Manpreet’s 413th appearance is a celebration of an era. It is the story of a player who evolved from a talented teenager into one of the defining figures of modern Indian hockey, carrying the hopes of a nation across continents, competitions and generations.
