Ajit Pal Singh advises India on World Cup pressure; captaincy burden amplified by drag-flicker role

‘Forget about the pressure’: Ajit Pal Singh’s simple World Cup advice for India

The 1975 Hockey World Cup-winning captain explains why teamwork must come before individual brilliance and explains the leadership responsibility on Harmanpreet Singh.

More than half a century after captaining India to their only men’s Hockey World Cup title, Ajit Pal Singh has a simple piece of advice for the current team: forget about the pressure.

The 79-year-old, who led India to their only World Cup crown in Kuala Lumpur in 1975 , believes Harmanpreet Singh and Co. should embrace the responsibility of representing the country without allowing expectations to dictate how they play.

“They should forget about the pressure,” Ajit Pal Singh told Olympics.com .

“At that level, they know they are representing the country and that hockey lovers are looking to them for worthwhile results. But they should not allow that pressure to get into their heads.

“They should concentrate on the actual game, focus on the match and try to give their best for the team.”

For Ajit Pal Singh, however, dealing with pressure is only part of the equation. The foundation of a successful hockey team, he insists, remains collective responsibility.

“Most importantly, they should play as a team. Individualism can be dangerous for a team because it can spoil the whole effort. Hockey is a team game.”

Ajit Pal Singh knows something about succeeding on the World Cup stage. A centre-half during his playing days, he captained India at the inaugural edition in 1971 before returning as skipper four years later and guiding the team to the title.

But he is reluctant to draw comparisons between his side and the one competing today.

“I don’t think we should compare the two. They are two very different teams,” he said.

“At that time, the team was really balanced, and the coordination and understanding among the players was exceptionally good. We played as a team. We were friends on and off the field and were very clear when dealing with each other.”

Ajit Pal Singh during the Nehru Hockey Tournament in 1983.

The sport itself has transformed significantly since 1975.

“You can’t compare the two teams because the times were different. The game was different,” Ajit Pal explained. “We played on grass, whereas now it is played on turf. Turf has changed the whole nature of hockey. The rules have also changed. It is a totally different ball game.”

Ajit Pal Singh on Harmanpreet Singh’s captaincy

While the game has changed, Ajit Pal believes the importance of a captain has not.

Harmanpreet, who also captained India at the 2023 edition, is now leading the country at his second World Cup. His role as India’s leading drag-flicker, Ajit Pal believes, adds another layer of responsibility.

“Harmanpreet Singh is the captain of this team, and we all know he is also a goal-getter,” he said.

“He is a drag-flicker, and the team looks up to him to provide that breakthrough. When they get a penalty corner, everyone looks to him to get a result. So, the responsibility and burden on Harmanpreet in this team is much greater.”

Ajit Pal believes a captain’s influence, though, must extend beyond goals and performances.

“Captaincy is always important. Coaches and the other staff look after many things, but a captain should command the respect of his teammates. He should be a role model through his attitude, performance and leadership.

“Leadership does not mean simply shouting at somebody. The other person can shout back at you, and that doesn’t mean you should take it to heart. It is all about teamwork.”

Above all, Ajit Pal wants the captain to be someone his teammates can turn to when matches become difficult.

“On the field, the captain should be a source of strength for the team. He should never look like a weak point.

“The captain should be a role model. The team should be able to look up to him and know that he will guide them when the situation demands it.”

That emphasis on the collective also shapes Ajit Pal’s view of how modern hockey players are celebrated.

The former India hockey captain has noticed the attention individual performances receive on social media during the World Cup but cautioned against overlooking the work behind them.

“I have seen so much being written and so many reels on Facebook saying, ‘He did this, he did that.’ But that player did it with the support of others. He cannot do it individually. He cannot score that goal alone,” Ajit Pal said.

“We should not praise only one person. There were 10 other people supporting him. They were not there just to do jhadu-pocha (sweep and clean the floor)!” he laughed. “They were playing alongside him.”

It all comes back to the same principle that Ajit Pal Singh believes defined the team he captained more than five decades ago.

“The players should be motivated to perform as a unit and play together,” he said.

“That, I think, is the mantra for success: teamwork, not individuals.”

Revisit India’s 1975 World Cup glory