Sardar Singh
Hockey prodigy and current Indian hockey team captain Sardar Singh is regarded as one of the most talented midfielders in the sport today. The Punjab-born player became India’s youngest ever captain when, at 22, he led the team at the 2008 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
The team has flourished under Singh’s attacking skill and leadership, winning medals at the Asian Games, the Hockey World League, and at the Commonwealth Games.
India was part of the 2012 Summer Olympics qualifiers, winning gold at the qualifiers. Sardar Singh had been adjudged player of the tournament at that event, although India was unable to progress beyond 12th spot at the actual Games.
Let down possibly by a lackluster charge from a team unable to match his captaincy, Singh, despite his skil, has been unable to win Olympic laurels.
The team qualified for the 2016 Games in 2014, and with renewed young talent in the squad, look to be in a strong position to do well at the Olympic Games in Rio this year. Could they end Indian hockey’s Olympic drought?
