Indian men's hockey: Decoding Harmanpreet Singh's journey at the Olympics
Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh finished as the top goal-scorer at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Harmanpreet played a key role in helping India win the bronze medal. Harmanpreet was magnificent in the final and scored both goals as India beat Spain 2-1. Notably, for the second successive Olymics, Harmanpreet was India's star boy. Here we decode his journey at the Olympics.
Why does this story matter?
It was a captain's performance from Harmanpreet in Paris as he led the team beautifully. India showed a lot of character during the entire tournament. This Indian team was one of the best sides in Paris. Wins against top teams like Australia and Great Britain showed pedigree. Even in defeats against sides like Belgium and Germany, Harmanpreet's side put up a lot of fight.
Harmanpreet scored 10 goals in eight matches (Paris Olympics)
Harmanpreet scored 10 goals in eight matches in the Paris 2024 men's hockey tournament, three more than the next best, Australia's Blake Govers. Harmanpreet scored twice against Spain to take his penalty corners tally to seven in the tournament. Three goals also came from penalty strokes. Besides Belgium, Harmanpreet scored in every match for the Indian hockey team at the Paris Olympics.
Consistent Harmanpreet helped India
Harmanpreet opened his account with a final-minute goal to rescue a 3-2 comeback win against New Zealand. He scored in Inda's 1-1 draw with Argentina next before scoring a brace in a 2-0 victory over Ireland. After firing blanks against Belgum, Harmanpreet scored in India's 3-2 victory over Australia. Versus Great Britain (quarters), he scored India's only goal. He also scored versus Germany (semis).
'All the credit goes to my team'
As India won a successive bronze medal at the Olympics, Harmanpreet credited his team. "All the credit goes to my team for working hard for me, for making PCs (penalty corners), and all the forward line," said the Indian hockey team captain. "I'm so proud of that. Of course, I'm proud of myself as the captain as well, but the team comes first, always."
Harmanpreet was India's top scorer at 2020 Tokyo Olympics
At the 2020 Olympics held in Tokyo, Harmanpreet scored six goals - the highest by an Indian team player. In 2020, India played eight matches, winning six and losing two. In the bronze medal match, India defeated Germany 5-4. Notably, free-flowing India scored a total of 25 goals. Harmanpreet was one of the scorers in the medal encounter against the Germans.
Harmanpreet fared poorly at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics
Harmanpreet was named in the Indian squad for 2016 Olympics. However, it was a disappointing performance from the young forward back then. Harmanpreet failed to score a single goal and India's coach back then claimed the former had unperformed by not doing enough justice to the outstanding talent and prowess he possessed as a player. India lost to Belgium in the quarter-finals in 2016.
