Sandeep Singh

Sandeep Singh (born 27 February 1986) is an Indian professional field hockey player from Haryana and an ex-captain of the Indian national hockey team.[2] He generally features as a full back and is a penalty corner specialist for the team. He was famous as Flicker Singh in media. Singh holds a DSP rank in the Haryana Police. He has been elected as MLA in 2019 from Pehowa constituency in Kurukshetra, Haryana from Bharatiya Janata Party and has been sworn in as the Sports Minister of the Haryana. [3] [4]

For other uses, see Sandeep Singh (disambiguation).

Sandeep Singh
Personal information
Born (1986-02-27) 27 February 1986
Shahabad, Haryana, India
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Playing position Fullback
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013 Mumbai Magicians 12 (11)
2014–2015 Punjab Warriors 1 (22)
2016–present Ranchi Rays 1 (0)
National team
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2012 India
Medal record
Men's Field hockey
Representing  India
Commonwealth Games
2010 New DelhiTeam
Champions Challenge
2007 BelgiumTeam
Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
2009 MalaysiaTeam
Last updated on: 21 January 2016

Early life

Singh hails from Shahabad town in Kurukshetra, Haryana.[5] He was educated at Shivalik Public School, Mohali. He was born to Gurucharan Singh Saini and Daljeet Kaur Saini.[6] His elder brother, Bikramjeet Singh, is also a field hockey player and plays for Indian Oil.[7]

Career

International hockey

Sandeep's international debut was in January 2004 in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Kuala Lumpur. He took over as the captain of the Indian national team in January 2009, and Rajpal Singh succeeded him later in 2010. Singh is a well known drag-flicker. At a time he was said to have the best speed in the world in drag flick (speed 145 km/h). Under his captaincy, the Indian team managed to clinch the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2009 after defeating Malaysia in the finals at Ipoh. India won the title after a long wait of 13 years. Singh was also the top goal scorer of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament.

The India men's national field hockey team have qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London after a gap of 8 years. The team had a resounding victory over France in the finals of the Olympic qualifiers by beating France 9–1. Ace drag-flicker Singh starred in the final against France by scoring five goals – including a hat-trick – all from penalty corners (19th, 26th, 38th, 49th and 51st minutes).[8] Singh was the highest scorer of the Olympic qualifiers tournament by scoring 16 goals.

Club career

Sandeep Singh became the fifth highest-paid marquee player at the inaugural Hockey India League as the Mumbai franchise bought him for US$64,400[9] with his base price being US$27,800. The Mumbai team has been named Mumbai Magicians. Scoring 11 goals in 12 games, Singh emerged as the top scorer in the first edition of the league.[10] In 2014, he was signed by Punjab Warriors. After playing two seasons for the team, he was signed by Ranchi Rays for US$81,000 in 2015 starting 2016.[11]

In 2014, Singh relocated to the UK to play for Havant Hockey Club.[12]

On 22 August 2006, Singh was seriously injured after being hit by an accidental gunshot in the Kalka Shatabdi Express train, while on his way to join the national team due to leave for the World Cup in Africa two days later. He was almost paralyzed and on the wheelchair for 1 year of his life. He was 20 at that time. Singh not only recovered from that serious injury but also established himself again and played world cup for India in 2010 Indian team.[2]

Career achievements

Awards

Portrayal in film

Filmmaker Shaad Ali has made a biographical film titled Soorma on Sandeep's life. Diljit Dosanjh has played Sandeep Singh's role in the film. It was released on 13 July 2018. The film also stars Taapsee Pannu and Angad Bedi.[13]

References
  1. "CWG Melbourne: Player's Profile". Archived from the original on 24 April 2012. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  2. "Sandeep Singh named captain of the hockey team". 10 January 2009.
  3. "Former hockey player Sandeep Singh named Haryana sports minister". Bridge.in. 17 November 2019.
  4. "Haryana: 10 ministers take oath in Manohar Lal Khattar's 17-day-old cabinet". thestatesman. 14 November 2019.
  5. Sharma, Jeevan Prakash (11 April 2012). "When the going gets tough…". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  6. "Saini community to honour Sandeep". Web Duniya. 10 February 2012.
  7. "Drag-flicker shot out of WC". 22 August 2006.
  8. "Indian Hockey Team Qualifies for London Olympics". NDTV. 26 February 2012. Archived from the original on 28 February 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  9. "Hockey India League Auction: the final squads list". CNN-IBN. 16 December 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  10. "Sandeep Singh needs to reinvent himself, says coach Michael Nobbs". NDTV. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  11. "Akashdeep top Indian pick, Sardar a big let down in HIL auction". The Hindu. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  12. "South Hockey League - Results - Premier - Division 1 - 2014-2015". South-league.com. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  13. "Diljit Dosanjh as Hockey Legend Sandeep Singh In"Soorma"". The Quint.
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