Manpreet Singh, the veteran Indian hockey midfielder and former captain, has been omitted from the 33-member list of probables for the upcoming FIH Pro League 2025-26, raising eyebrows across the hockey fraternity. This marks the first time in 15 years that the 33-year-old will miss a senior national camp. While initial reports suggested disciplinary issues were the reason for his exclusion, Singh has clarified that he requested the break to spend time with family and mentally recharge ahead of a busy season.
According to reports, Manpreet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, and goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak were involved in a disciplinary breach during India's tour of South Africa in December. These players allegedly gave a teammate a banned substance, leading to the teammate requiring medical attention and missing a team meeting. While the players apologized, Hockey India decided to exclude them from the national camp.
Amidst the speculation surrounding his exclusion, Manpreet Singh took to social media to explain his side of the story. "Since the Paris Olympics, it's been non-stop hockey for me," Singh stated, highlighting the relentless schedule of back-to-back tournaments across Asia, Europe, Australia, and South Africa. He emphasized the importance of spending quality time with his family, especially after the birth of his second daughter. Singh further added that he had been planning to request a break before the season intensified with the World Cup and Asian Games. He thanked Hockey India and the coach for granting him this "much-needed rest".
Despite the controversy, sources indicate that coach Craig Fulton had, in fact, pushed for Manpreet's inclusion in the Pro League squad. It is understood that Fulton wanted Manpreet in the squad, especially after the veteran midfielder excelled in the fitness tests, securing a place among the top performers. A Hockey India official stated that Fulton wanted to test new players and saw the Pro League as an opportunity to do so, and that Manpreet would be back in the squad for the next national team assignment. Fulton himself has stated that a few senior players have been rested to manage workload and to reward performances from players who have earned their opportunity.
Manpreet Singh is nearing a significant milestone in his career. With 411 international caps, he is just one match away from surpassing Dilip Tirkey's record of 412 matches to become India's most-capped hockey player. This achievement would have been a momentous occasion, celebrating Singh's pivotal role in India's hockey resurgence over the past decade, including Olympic bronze medals at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
The FIH Pro League 2025-26 is set to be held at the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium from February 10 to 15. India will play matches against Belgium and Argentina during the mini-tournament. While Manpreet Singh will be absent from this leg, his focus remains on utilizing this break to recharge and return stronger for the team's future endeavors, with the World Cup and Asian Games on the horizon.
