India hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh has credited his long-standing bond with senior midfielder Manpreet Singh — forged since their junior days — and the presence of experienced players across all departments as critical pillars of stability as the team prepares for the FIH Hockey World Cup.

A Brotherhood Built Over Years

Harmanpreet and Manpreet's partnership stretches back to their junior international careers, and the captain believes that shared history has produced an almost instinctive understanding on the field. Speaking to JioStar, Harmanpreet was emphatic in his gratitude.

'Manpreet paaji has been our senior. We've been together since the juniors. From then until now, that bond, trust and understanding have been very strong. We've been playing together for so many years, and I just want to say thanks to him for showing the trust and faith in me,' he said.

Off the Pitch, the Bond Runs Deeper

That camaraderie is not confined to match situations. Harmanpreet revealed that a core group of senior players — himself, Manpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, and Dilpreet Singh — regularly spends time together both at home and during training camps, a closeness he believes translates directly into sharper on-field communication.

'Even when we go home, during training sessions, we are mostly together, me, Manpreet, Mandeep, Dilpreet. When in camp, we naturally stay together,' he added. That proximity, he argues, eliminates communication gaps that can prove costly in high-stakes hockey.

Midfield-Defence Understanding a Key Asset

Harmanpreet specifically highlighted the coordination between India's defenders and midfielders as a standout strength. Years of playing alongside each other have allowed the unit to read situations instinctively, reducing dependence on verbal cues during fast-moving passages of play.

'On the field, the understanding between defenders and midfielders is excellent. We know how to pass in certain situations, how that eye contact works. We stay close in defence too, so there is no communication gap,' he stated.

World Cup Experience Across the Squad

Heading into the FIH Hockey World Cup, India's squad carries considerable tournament pedigree. For Manpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh, this will be their fourth World Cup campaign; for Harmanpreet, it is his third. The captain believes that accumulated experience is invaluable when knockout-stage pressure mounts.

'When a senior player puts their hand up in a crunch situation, it instils confidence in the team,' Harmanpreet said. That leadership, he noted, is spread across departments rather than concentrated in one area — Mandeep Singh anchoring the forward line, Manpreet Singh controlling midfield, and the defensive core providing cover at the back.

'I'm glad that in every position we have senior players who can balance the team, Mandeep in the forward line, Manpreet in midfield, and us in defence,' he added. With the World Cup approaching, India's depth of experience could prove to be one of their most decisive advantages.