Mandeep Singh’s emotional homecoming highlights international hockey’s return to Punjab

Fourteen years after making his India debut, the two-time Olympic medallist played at his home academy’s ground in Jalandhar, as family members and young fans witnessed a special moment for Punjab’s hockey community.

Updated : Oct 28, 2026 14:38 IST , JALANDHAR - 4 MINS READ

FILE PHOTO: Mandeep Singh’s family was in attendance at the Olympian Surjit Singh Stadium on Tuesday, watching him play in an India jersey on his home ground for the first time ever. | Photo Credit: PTI

The scoresheet after India’s opening game of the Asian Champions Trophy listed three goals against experienced striker Mandeep Singh. The man who had stepped onto the field earlier that day, however, was Lalli.

That’s what Mandeep’s friends and family call him. They were all in attendance at the Olympian Surjit Singh Stadium on Tuesday, watching him play in an India jersey on home ground for the first time ever. Fourteen years after he made the national team as an 18-year-old, Mandeep returned to the turf where he learnt to hold a hockey stick, this time as a two-time Olympic medallist.

“ Ghar mein, gharwalon ke saamne khelna kya hota hai, I can’t express in words. It’s just a very special, very proud feeling right now. It started the moment I entered the building and watched the crowd in the stands. There is nothing I can say to actually describe it. I have been playing for the country for 14 years, and this is the first time I am doing so in my own state, on the ground where I picked up a hockey stick, in front of my family,” a visibly teary and emotional Mandeep told Sportstar.

Mandeep was one of the five players from the academy to take the field; Manpreet Singh, the most famous one, missed out with an injury even though his family was present in the stands. “It’s sad that Manpreet couldn’t play, but that’s what the doctors advised. But we are here for the whole India team," his wife Illi said.

Every player in this team, in fact, will be playing international hockey in Punjab for the first time ever – the last time the state hosted a tournament was the Gold Cup in 2009, in Chandigarh. Harmanpreet Singh was excited about having his family see him play live in a stadium for the first time. “We have played in all the major cities across the world, but nothing matches returning home. This is a very special homecoming for all of us,” he admitted.

READ: Indian midfielder Nilakanta to retire from international hockey after Asian Champions Trophy 2026

It might just become even more special for the Indian captain – he is now just five shy of becoming the country’s second-highest goalscorer and four adrift of legendary Balbir Singh Sr’s 246 goals. Dilpreet, the youngest from the academy, had his own vocal support group of kids from his village in Batala, holding up his posters. “My parents keep asking me when the tournament is beginning and when we can come; they even want to come and watch me in training sessions,” said Dilpreet.

Goalkeeper Krishan Pathak and Jarmanpreet Singh are the other two from the academy. The one common factor in their narratives is the importance of heroes and watching them live on the domestic circuit and the importance of domestic events themselves. “I watched Jugraj Singh play for Punjab Police here,” Harmanpreet gushed. “I was inspired by watching Sardar and Sandeep Singh during domestic competitions,” Mandeep added.

As international hockey returns to Punjab, one hopes they inspire another generation to continue the state and the city’s connect with the sport.

India to take on China

India, meanwhile, will take on China in its second game of the tournament, while Malaysia takes on Korea and Bangladesh plays Japan on Thursday. Despite the overall dominance against Bangladesh, India had its usual slow start post half-time, and coach Craig Fulton admitted it was something that needed work, regardless of the opposition.

“We found a way in the first half, and that set the platform. The third quarter wasn’t so good; it was a bit slow. And then I’m glad we finished strong in the fourth quarter. I think some teams struggle with it. Our tendency is to just have a slow third quarter, and that’s not ideal because it also depends on what the score is going into half-time. When it’s 6-0, it’s not helpful. But that’s our challenge. Yes, and we’ve got to try and focus on getting better at that,” Fulton agreed.

“We have to set a standard, and we try and get the same tempo in all four quarters. We do that first, second, not third. And then picked it up in the fourth,” he added.

Published on Oct 28, 2026

Latest on Sportstar

1. Live Blog 2026-10-28T09:10:48+05:30

   Ranji Trophy LIVE score Today: Tamil Nadu defeats Railways by five wickets; Vihaan Malhotra takes four wickets for Punjab; Round 3, Day 3 Updates
2. Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Cyclone Arnab plays spoilsport, washes out Andhra vs Chhattisgarh Day 3

3. Live Blog 2026-10-28T13:24:35+05:30

   India vs Zimbabwe, 3rd ODI LIVE: Latest commentary and score updates