2fa at 19:55, 7 March 2026

2026-03-07T19:55:26Z

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{{Short description|Indian field hockey player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox field hockey player
| name = Hardik Singh
| image = Hardik Singh.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Singh in 2022
| full_name = Hardik Singh Rai
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|9|23|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Khusropur]], [[Punjab, India]]<ref name=toi>{{cite news |last1=Sahni |first1=Jaspreet |title=Hockey World Cup: Hardik Singh - From ball boy to World Cup |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/hockey-world-cup/hockey-world-cup-hardik-singh-from-ball-boy-to-world-cup-player/articleshow/66705314.cms |accessdate=14 July 2019 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=21 November 2018}}</ref>
| height = 1.76 m<ref>{{cite web |title=SINGH Hardik |url=https://www.worldcup2018.hockey/men/players/singh-hardik__70516__4212 |website=www.worldcup2018.hockey |publisher=[[International Hockey Federation]] |accessdate=15 July 2019}}</ref>
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Indian Oil Corporation
| clubs1 = Petroleum Sports Promotion Board
| years1 =
| clubs2 = Indian Oil Corporation
| years2 =
| nationalyears1 = 2014
| nationalteam1 = [[India men's national under-21 field hockey team|India U21]]
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2018–
| nationalteam2 = [[India men's national field hockey team|India]]
| nationalcaps2 = 174
| nationalgoals2 = 12
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport|Men's [[field hockey]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{IND}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2020 Summer Olympics|2020 Tokyo]]|[[Field hockey at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2024 Summer Olympics|2024 Paris]]|[[Field hockey at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Commonwealth Games]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[2022 Commonwealth Games|2022 Birmingham]]|[[Hockey at the 2022 Commonwealth Games – Men's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Asian Games]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2022 Asian Games|2022 Hangzhou]]|[[Field hockey at the 2022 Asian Games – Men's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Men's Hockey Asia Cup|Asia Cup]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2025 Men's Hockey Asia Cup|2025 Rajgir]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Asian Hockey Champions Trophy|Asian Champions Trophy]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2018 Asian Men's Hockey Champions Trophy|2018 Muscat]]|}}
{{MedalGold|[[2023 Men's Asian Champions Trophy|2023 Chennai]]|}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2021 Men's Asian Champions Trophy|2021 Dhaka]]|}}
}}
'''Hardik Singh''' (born 23 September 1998) is an Indian [[field hockey]] player who plays as a midfielder for the [[India men's national field hockey team|Indian national team]].<ref>{{cite web |title=HARDIK SINGH |url=http://hockeyindia.org/team/hardik-singh.html |website=hockeyindia.org |publisher=[[Hockey India]] |accessdate=15 July 2019 |archive-date=27 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727135953/http://hockeyindia.org/team/hardik-singh.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Early life==
Singh's father was Varinderpreet Singh Rai, who works as a police officer, played for India. His grandfather Preetam Singh Rai was a hockey coach with the Indian Navy.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Das |first1=Tanmay |title=Hockey World Cup: 'Home' support for Hardik Singh |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/hockey-world-cup/2018/dec/01/home-support-for-hardik-1905823.html |access-date=14 July 2019 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=1 December 2018}}</ref> Hardik played hockey as a youngster in his village [[Khusropur]] under the tutelage of his grandfather. Like his uncles [[Gurmail Singh (field hockey, born 1959)|Gurmail Singh]] and [[Jugraj Singh]], both former internationals, Hardik began playing as a defender in the wings. He took up hockey seriously in 2012 and joined the Punjab Institute of Sports Academy in [[Mohali]] before moving to Surjit Hockey Academy in [[Jalandhar]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Unnikrishnan |first1=Dilip |title=CWG 2022, Hockey: Hardik hungers for gold |url=https://scroll.in/field/1028832/cwg-2022-hockey-hardik-hungers-for-gold |website=Scroll.in |access-date=5 April 2024 |date=23 July 2022}}</ref>

Hardik's aunt [[Rajbir Kaur]] also played internationally for India while her husband Gurmail Singh was a part of gold-medal-winning Indian team at the [[1980 Moscow Olympics]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Vice-captain Hardik Singh is fifth in family to win laurels in hockey |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/vice-captain-hardik-singh-is-fifth-in-family-to-win-laurels-in-hockey/303607.html |accessdate=14 July 2019 |work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |date=1 October 2016 |archive-date=14 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714154136/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/vice-captain-hardik-singh-is-fifth-in-family-to-win-laurels-in-hockey/303607.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Hardik is a fifth-generation hockey player in the family.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fighting spirit behind India hockey team's resurgence: Hardik |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/sports/fighting-spirit-behind-india-hockey-teams-resurgence-hardik-1502977537.html |website=The Statesman |access-date=5 April 2024 |language=en |date=30 June 2021}}</ref> He regards his uncle Jugraj Singh as his mentor,<ref name=toi/> and credits him for persuading Hardik to stay back when he decided to move to the Netherlands after opportunities in India seemed to dry up for him as an 18-year-old.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

==International career==
===2018–2022: Debut and Olympics bronze===
After becoming the vice-captain of the Indian junior team, Singh made his senior international debut at the [[2018 Asian Men's Hockey Champions Trophy|2018 Asian Champions Trophy]] held in [[Muscat]].<ref>{{cite web |title='Next two months crucial for the team', says Indian Men's Hockey Team Captain Harmanpreet Singh |url=http://asiahockey.org/news/next-two-months-crucial-for-the-team-says-indian-mens-hockey-team-captain-harmanpreet-singh |website=[[Asian Hockey Federation]] |access-date=5 April 2024}}</ref> His first match was India's opening fixture against [[Oman men's national field hockey team|Oman]] on 18 October; India won 11–0.<ref>{{cite news |title=Indian Men's Hero Asian Champions Trophy 2018 campaign |url=https://www.hockeyindia.org/news/indian-mens-hockey-team-beat-hosts-oman-11-0-to-start-5th-mens-hero-asian-champions-trophy-2018-campaign |access-date=5 April 2024 |work=Hockey India |date=19 October 2018 |language=en}}</ref> Finalists India and [[Pakistan men's national field hockey team|Pakistan]] were declared joint-winners after the match was abandoned due to rain.<ref>{{cite news |title=Asian Champions Trophy: India, Pakistan declared joint winners after final called-off due to rain |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/top-stories/asian-champions-trophy-india-pakistan-declared-joint-winners-after-final-called-off-due-to-rain/articleshow/66407057.cms |access-date=5 April 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=29 October 2018}}</ref>

Singh was included in India's squad for the [[2020 Tokyo Olympics]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Hockey India Announces Men's squad for Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 |url=https://www.hockeyindia.org/news/hockey-india-announces-mens-squad-for-tokyo-olympic-games-2020 |access-date=5 April 2024 |work=Hockey India |date=18 June 2021 |language=en}}</ref> He scored his first goal of the competition in the quarter-final against [[Great Britain men's national field hockey team|Great Britain]]. Singh's 57th-minute counter-attacking goal helped India secure a 3–1 win, and an entry into the medal-round for the first time since the 1980 Moscow Olympics.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tokyo 2020: Hardik Singh's counter-attack goal seals India's place in semi-final |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/olympics/tokyo-2020-india-mens-hockey-team-beat-great-britain-3-1-qualify-for-semi-finals-743343 |access-date=5 April 2024 |work=The Indian Express |date=1 August 2021 |language=en |url-access=subscription}}</ref> A semi-final loss to [[Belgium men's national field hockey team|Belgium]] was followed by bronze-medal finish after a win against [[Germany men's national field hockey team|Germany]]. Singh scored once in the eventual 5–3 win.<ref>{{cite news |author=Scroll Staff |title=Tokyo 2020, men's hockey: India beat Germany to win bronze, end 41-year wait for Olympic medal |url=https://scroll.in/field/1002078/tokyo-2020-mens-hockey-india-beat-germany-to-win-bronze-end-41-year-wait-for-olympic-medal |access-date=5 April 2024 |work=Scroll.in |date=5 August 2021}}</ref> He scored off a loose ball from a [[penalty corner]] in the second quarter to give his team a 2–1 lead.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Unnikrishnan |first1=Dilip |title=CWG 2022, Hockey: Hardik hungers for gold |url=https://scroll.in/field/1028832/cwg-2022-hockey-hardik-hungers-for-gold |website=Scroll.in |access-date=5 April 2024 |date=23 July 2022}}</ref>

In the [[2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games]], Singh was a part of the India team that finished second. His team had an undefeated run leading up to the final, where they lost 7–0 to [[Australia men's national field hockey team|Australia]]. He recalled the game being "a big test" for him and that he wanted to "focus more on controlling the tempo of the game and build on leadership qualities."<ref>{{cite news |title="The Final against Australia is a big lesson ahead of the World Cup," says Hardik Singh |url=https://www.hockeyindia.org/news/the-final-against-australia-is-a-big-lesson-ahead-of-the-world-cup-says-hardik-singh |access-date=6 April 2024 |work=Hockey India |date=24 August 2022 |language=en}}</ref> At the Hockey India Awards, Singh was awarded the [[Hockey India#Balbir Singh Sr. award for Player of the Year (men)|Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of The Year]] for 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hardik Singh and Savita win the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2022 |url=https://www.hockeyindia.org/news/hardik-singh-and-savita-win-the-hockey-india-balbir-singh-sr-award-for-player-of-the-year-2022 |access-date=5 April 2024 |work=Hockey India |date=17 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

===2023–present===
Singh was named in India's squad for the [[2023 Men's FIH Hockey World Cup|2023 World Cup]]. In its profiling, ''[[ESPN]]'' called him "India's engine in the middle of the park. Non-stop running leads India's pressing, and sublime passer."<ref>{{cite web |title=Know Your Team: Meet India's 18-member squad for Hockey Men's World Cup 2023 |url=https://www.espn.in/field-hockey/story/_/id/35419255/meet-india-squad-hockey-world-cup-2023-harmanpreet-sreejesh |website=ESPN |access-date=5 April 2024 |language=en |date=13 January 2023}}</ref> He scored in India's opening game against [[Spain men's national field hockey team|Spain]] in a 2–0 win.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hockey World Cup highlights: India beat Spain 2-0 in opener |url=https://www.espn.in/field-hockey/story/_/id/35436869 |access-date=5 April 2024 |work=ESPN |date=13 January 2023 |language=en}}</ref> In the next group stage match, against [[England men's national field hockey team|England]], Singh sustained a hamstring injury leading him to miss the rest of the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |title=India suffers setback as injured Hardik Singh is ruled out of FIH Hockey World Cup 2023 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/india-suffers-setback-as-injured-hardik-singh-is-ruled-out-of-fih-hockey-world-cup-2023/articleshow/97195310.cms |access-date=5 April 2024 |work=The Economic Times |date=21 January 2023}}</ref> In July that year, Singh played his 100th match for India, against England, in the 100th Anniversary Spanish Hockey Federation tournament in [[Barcelona]], Spain.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hockey India congratulates Hardik Singh on completing 100 international appearances |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/hockey/hockey-india-congratulates-hardik-singh-on-completing-100-international-appearances20230728211633 |access-date=5 April 2024 |agency=[[Asian News International]] |date=28 July 2023}}</ref>

Singh was part of the side that finished first in both the [[2023 Men's Asian Champions Trophy|Asian Champions Trophy]] and the [[2022 Asian Games|Hangzhou Asian Games]], both played in 2023. Recognizing his performances in these successes, Singh was awarded the [[FIH Player of the Year Awards|FIH Player of the Year (Male)]].<ref>{{cite web |title=India hockey star Hardik Singh focuses on team play for Olympics success |url=https://lifestyle.livemint.com/news/talking-point/hockey-hardik-singh-paris-olympics-111712042534009.html |website=Mintlounge |access-date=5 April 2024 |language=en |date=3 April 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.hockeyindia.org/players/hardik-singh-profile-4618 Hardik Singh] at [[Hockey India]]
* {{Sports links}}

{{Navboxes
|title=India squads
| bg = #0077FF
| fg = #FFFF40
|list1=
{{India FH Squad 2018 World Cup}}
{{India FH Squad 2020 Summer Olympics}}
{{India FH Squad 2022 Commonwealth Games}}
{{India FH Squad 2023 World Cup}}
{{India FH Squad 2022 Asian Games}}
{{India FH Squad 2024 Summer Olympics}}
{{India FH Squad 2025 Asia Cup}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Hardik}}
[[Category:1998 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian male field hockey players]]
[[Category:Field hockey players from Jalandhar]]
[[Category:Field hockey players at the 2020 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Field hockey players at the 2024 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic field hockey players for India]]
[[Category:People from Jalandhar district]]
[[Category:Male field hockey midfielders]]
[[Category:2018 Men's Hockey World Cup players]]
[[Category:Olympic bronze medalists for India]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2020 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in field hockey]]
[[Category:Field hockey players at the 2022 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games silver medallists for India]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games field hockey players for India]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games silver medallists in field hockey]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Arjuna Award]]
[[Category:2023 Men's FIH Hockey World Cup players]]
[[Category:Medallists at the 2022 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Field hockey players at the 2022 Asian Games]]
[[Category:Asian Games gold medalists for India]]
[[Category:Asian Games field hockey players for India]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2022 Asian Games]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2024 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Asian Games gold medalists in field hockey]]

Hardik Singh - Revision history

2fa at 19:55, 7 March 2026