January 22, 2023. Harmanpreet Singh cut a sorry figure facing a hall full of journalists hungry for answers after India’s debacle at the World Cup. India had lost 3-3 (4-5) to New Zealand in the crossover match despite leading 3-1 at one stage to end the showpiece at joint ninth – the worst finish by a host nation at the World Cup.
At the centre of the exit was the India skipper, who had scored just once in four games
He had a plan for each opposition. Against Spain for example, he had noticed in the Pro League that goalkeeper Luiz Calzado had a tendency of staying in the centre with two defenders guarding the posts. Harmanpreet exploited the same as he shot two grounded bullets, first on the left through the legs of the defender, and the second to the right, out of Calzado’s range and enough to secure a second successive bronze medal at the Olympics.
“Harmanpreet is a very cool-headed player, one that is very difficult to find who can play under any situation,” says Harendra Singh, former India head coach and current chief coach of Indian women’s team.
Harendra is credited for bringing Harmanpreet into the national setup when he was the junior national coach under whom India won the 2016 Junior World Cup in Lucknow.
“Harmanpreet’s biggest plus point is that he has both muscular as well as emotional control. He analyses and doesn’t overreact whatever the circumstance. Be it an empty stadium or full, he plays the same,” added Harendra.
In Rio 2016, Harmanpreet went goalless in six matches. In Tokyo 2021, he was India’s highest scorer with six. This time around with 10 goals, Harmanpreet ended up as the highest scorer of the tournament.
“Harmanpreet plays the ball with peripheral vision. The best thing about him is he knows how to handle a tackle. That is where decision making comes in. Either he converts it into a goal or knows how to take the ball out from a pressure situation.”
Like January 2023, Harmanpreet had moist eyes again on Thursday. But the emotion was different. Despair had given way to joy. Tears had given way to delight. More importantly, failure had given way to redemption.
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