Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 18: Veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh on Wednesday became the most-capped player in the history of Indian hockey, making his 413th international appearance during India's FIH Pro League match against Germany.
With the milestone, the 33-year-old surpassed former India captain and current Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey, who retired with 412 international caps.
To honour the achievement, Hockey India announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for Manpreet, hailing him as one of the greatest servants of Indian hockey in the modern era.
In a statement, Hockey India said Manpreet has been the driving force in India's midfield for more than 15 years and has played a pivotal role in the country's resurgence on the global stage.
Having made his senior debut in 2011 as a 19-year-old, Manpreet has been a key figure in one of the most successful periods in Indian hockey, contributing to numerous international triumphs and helping the team reclaim its place among the world's leading hockey nations.
Reacting to the milestone, Manpreet described the achievement as one of the proudest moments of his career.
"It is a very proud moment for me to have played so many matches for India. Representing the country has always been the biggest honour of my life," he said, dedicating the achievement to his teammates, family and Hockey India for their unwavering support throughout his journey.
Despite the record, Manpreet said his focus remains firmly on helping India achieve greater success, including winning an Olympic gold medal and performing strongly at future World Cups.
The midfielder has been instrumental in India's recent achievements, including the historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where he captained the side, and another bronze medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
His trophy cabinet also includes gold medals at the 2014 and 2022 Asian Games, Asia Cup titles in 2017 and 2025, and multiple Asian Champions Trophy triumphs.
With 413 international appearances, Manpreet now ranks fifth among the most-capped men's hockey players in the world. Only Belgium's John-John Dohmen (481), the Netherlands' Teun de Nooijer (453), Australia's Eddie Ockenden (451) and Great Britain's Barry Middleton (432) are ahead of him.
Notably, Manpreet is currently the only active men's international hockey player with more than 400 caps, underlining his remarkable consistency, longevity and contribution to the sport over a career spanning more than 15 years.
A native of Mithapur in Punjab's Jalandhar district, Manpreet was conferred the Arjuna Award in 2018 and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, India's highest sporting honour, in 2021.