Manpreet, two others reportedly dropped from Pro League probables due to off-field misdemeanour
Hockey India’s decision to drop star midfielder Manpreet Singh from the 33-member core probables for February’s FIH Men’s Pro League leg in Rourkela on Thursday may have raised a few eyebrows, especially because the star midfielder was one cap away from equalling president Dilip Tirkey’s all-time record for the most international appearances.
However, it has been learned that the national body was forced to take such a drastic measure in light of an off-field misdemeanour involving Manpreet during the tour of South Africa in December. Also involved in the act were forward Dilpreet Singh and goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak, whose names are also missing from the squad headed to the senior men’s national coaching camp from February 1 to 7.
After a player was found absent from a team meeting, it was found out that the aforementioned trio had allegedly asked him to consume an ‘edible,’ containing a banned substance inside a car the previous night. The player, who took the edible, was unaware of its ingredients.
The three players in question did apologise to the management, but the top brass decided to take strict action to serve as a warning for the rest of the playing members.
The three-Test tour in December ended with India losing 2-0, the third match having ended in a stalemate.
India, which had finished eighth in the previous edition of the Pro League, will open its campaign against Belgium on February 11.
Published on Jan 30, 2026