Inspired by Virat Kohli, Manpreet Singh Is Defying Age and Redefining Longevity in Indian Hockey
At 33, Manpreet Singh is doing something few Indian hockey players manage: staying indispensable long after most have faded from the international scene.
In a sport where players often find themselves fighting for relevance once they cross 30, the veteran midfielder continues to thrive. Not because of reputation or past achievements, but because he has spent his career adapting, evolving and, most importantly, staying fit.
India’s most-capped hockey player has never been the kind of athlete who fits neatly into one role. Early in his career, he was an attacking midfielder. Over time, he transformed into the heartbeat of India’s midfield — the player responsible for linking defence and attack, controlling tempo and doing the unglamorous work that keeps a team functioning.
Manpreet often describes himself as the “aloo” in every curry — an ingredient that fits anywhere and makes everything better.
That versatility has helped him survive and succeed across multiple Olympic cycles. But the secret to his longevity lies elsewhere.
The Virat Kohli Influence
Following the Paris Olympics, Manpreet was not entirely satisfied with his physical condition. Instead of winding down, he chose to reinvent himself once again.
The result has been a renewed focus on fitness that has left him feeling stronger, sharper and capable of matching players nearly a decade younger.
One of the biggest influences behind that transformation has been Virat Kohli.
Earlier this year, Manpreet playfully challenged the former India captain to train with the national hockey team after Kohli praised the squad’s fitness standards. While the invitation was made in jest, the admiration behind it was genuine.
“Everyone knows Virat is a fitness freak. For every athlete, he is an idol,” Manpreet told India Today.
“He is 36 years old and has maintained his fitness incredibly well. We all learn from him.”
For Manpreet, Kohli represents far more than cricketing excellence. It is the discipline, intensity and commitment to self-improvement that resonate most.
The two also happen to share the same sporting inspiration — football icon Cristiano Ronaldo.
“The way Virat stays aggressive, focused and gives his hundred percent every time is inspiring. He is a Ronaldo fan, I am also a Ronaldo fan, so we follow similar things. I learn a lot from him,” Manpreet said.
- Fitness First, Everything Else Later
- The last year has not been straightforward.
Manpreet found himself at the centre of speculation after being rested from the national side, while reports about disciplinary issues and discussions surrounding his future generated fresh uncertainty.
Yet through the noise, his focus never shifted.
Rather than worrying about selection debates or records, he concentrated on maintaining the one thing he believes determines whether he deserves to remain in the team: fitness.
“My first priority is fitness,” he said.
“If I want to play for a long time, my fitness has to stay at a high level. Otherwise, even I wouldn’t want to continue.”
The veteran is clear that he has no interest in surviving on reputation alone.
“I don’t want to be selected because of my name while being unfit. I want my fitness level to be better than younger players as well. Only then do I deserve my place.”
That philosophy recently received validation when he posted impressive results in national fitness assessments, convincing him that he still has more to offer.
One Final Olympic Dream
For now, Manpreet’s sights remain firmly set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Before that come major assignments, including the World Cup and Asian Games, but the long-term ambition remains unchanged.
Importantly, he insists he will walk away the moment he feels he can no longer meet the physical demands of elite hockey.
“If at any point I feel I can’t maintain my fitness level, I can rethink things. But as of now, my target is definitely LA,” he said.
Manpreet also draws inspiration from players who have extended their careers deep into their thirties, including Belgian legends John-John Dohmen and Tom Boon.
Dohmen remained a fixture at the highest level until his late thirties, while Boon is still targeting the Los Angeles Olympics despite already being 36.
- “Age is just a number,” Manpreet said.
- “What matters is how well you take care of your body.”
- Defying the Clock
In many ways, Manpreet’s career has become a case study in modern sporting longevity.
The conversation is no longer about how many matches he has played or how many records he might break. It is about how he continues to remain relevant in a sport that rarely waits for veterans.
Inspired by athletes like Virat Kohli and Cristiano Ronaldo, Manpreet has embraced a simple principle: every place in the team must be earned.
As long as he can outrun, outwork and outperform the next generation, India’s midfield general believes there is no reason to stop.
And for now, the dream of one final Olympic campaign remains very much alive.
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