Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Harmanpreet Singh is India's 'trump card' at Hockey World Cup
Hockey is a fast game played on a big field with sticks and a small ball.
One special skill is called a drag-flick, where a player flicks the ball hard toward the goal with their stick.
Harmanpreet Singh is the captain of India's hockey team and is very good at drag-flicks.
Jugraj Singh was a famous drag-flicker for India long ago and now watches Harmanpreet's games.
He says Harmanpreet plays like him and calls him India's 'trump card' for the Hockey World Cup.
A trump card is the player the team counts on when things get tough.
Jugraj thinks Harmanpreet is one of the best three drag-flickers in the world.
Harmanpreet has already won Olympic medals, but he still listens when people give him advice.
India has not won a World Cup medal in 50 years.
Jugraj believes this team is strong and united enough to end that wait at last.
Former India drag-flicker Jugraj Singh calls India captain Harmanpreet Singh the team's 'trump card' for the FIH World Cup because he performs when the team needs him.
Jugraj rates Harmanpreet among the world's top three drag-flickers, noting he has played brilliantly since the Tokyo Olympics.
Jugraj highlights Harmanpreet's willingness to keep learning and seek guidance even after winning Olympic medals as a special quality.
Jugraj cautions that World Cup success needs skill, coordination, and teamwork rather than drag-flicking alone.
Jugraj is confident the well-prepared and strongly bonded Indian team can end India's 50-year wait for a World Cup medal.
- Who
- Jugraj Singh, a former India drag-flicker, and Harmanpreet Singh, the current India captain.
- What
- Jugraj praised Harmanpreet as India's 'trump card' for the FIH World Cup, calling him one of the world's top three drag-flickers.
- When
- Ahead of the FIH World Cup, which begins this week.
- Where
- India; the article does not specify the tournament's location.
- Why
- Jugraj believes Harmanpreet consistently delivers in crucial moments, giving India its best chance to end a 50-year wait for a World Cup medal.
- Event
- FIH World Cup (beginning this week)
- Player in focus
- Harmanpreet Singh, India captain and drag-flicker
- Praise from
- Jugraj Singh, former India drag-flicker
- Skill rating
- Among the world's top three drag-flickers
- Career highlights
- Two Olympic medals, including one under his captaincy
- Achievement gap
- India's 50-year wait for a World Cup medal
- Background note
- Jugraj's career ended after a 2003 car accident near Jalandhar