As the Indian men’s hockey team prepares to kick off their World Cup campaign on August 15 at the iconic
While Mandeep expresses pride in this achievement, he is acutely aware of the void in his medal collection. “It feels great to play my fourth World Cup, a very proud moment. But it is also a reminder that there is nothing to show for the three I have already played. It’s just been participation so far... we don’t have the one thing that we so desperately want,” he shared in an interview. Despite having secured medals in various prestigious tournaments, including the Asia Cups, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and the Olympics, the absence of a
Chasing the Elusive World Cup
Mandeep’s father echoed his sentiments, reminding him that he is still “one short” of achieving his ultimate goal. “If this is the last chance for us, we won’t waste it and try to bring back that medal. It is a huge motivation, playing the fourth World Cup. Dhanraj sir did it, now we are going to do it. The dream now is to lift that Cup,” he asserted, emphasizing the collective ambition of the team.
With 288 international matches under his belt, Mandeep recognizes the importance of teamwork and shared responsibility. “I believe all 18 players in a team have to play; everyone is aware of their individual responsibility and team target. Everyone has to perform; a senior or junior is just a tag that doesn’t matter on the field,” he explained. He also highlighted the significance of fitness and diet, noting that maintaining peak physical condition is essential to compete with younger players.
Focus on the World Cup
Mandeep is determined to seize the opportunity to etch his name in the annals of hockey history. Reflecting on the recent Olympic successes, he noted, “When we won an Olympic medal in Tokyo after 41 years and then again in Paris, we saw how it completely changed Indian hockey’s stature.” He is acutely aware of the long wait for a World Cup medal, which has stretched to 51 years, and understands the profound impact it would have on the sport and the nation. “Which is why we are not even thinking of the Asian Games or anything else at the moment; full focus is on the World Cup,” he concluded, underscoring the team's commitment to their goal.
