List of Indian Captains at every Men’s Hockey World Cup so far

These include some of the biggest names in Indian Hockey.

In the 14 editions of the men’s hockey World Cup, the Indian team has been led by 13 players with Ajith Pal Singh the lone Indian to lead the side twice (1971 and 1975). Out of the 13 captains, only two could take India to a podium finish (Ajith Pal Singh in 1971 and 1975) and MP Ganesh (1973). In this articles let us loom at the captains at the different editions of the World Cup. Let's take a look at all the Indian Hockey captains at men's World Cup so far.

1971 World Cup, Barcelona

Ajith Pal Singh

Ajith Pal Singh led India in the inaugural edition of the men’s World Cup and finished third. Pal made his debut in 1960 and went on to play for the national team for close to two decades. After leading India in the inaugural World Cup he once led the side in the 1975 World Cup where India went on to win the gold medal for the first and only time to date.

1973 World Cup

MP Ganesh

Ganesh from Karnataka led India in the second edition and went one step further to clinch the second spot (silver). He had a very short career spanning six years but went on to achieve good success winning the bronze at the 1972 Olympics and silver at the 1973 World Cup. Ganesh also went on to coach the Indian national team. He was one of the few to captain and coach India in the men’s hockey World Cup.

1975 World Cup

Ajith Pal Singh

1978 World Cup

VJ Philips

Victor Philips couldn't carry forward the legacy left behind by the other captains as India for the first time finished outside the podium. Philips is regarded as one of the fiercest players by his teammates who used to dribble past players comfortably at high speed. He was part of the 197 and 1975 World Cup squads and the bronze medal-winning team at the 1972 Olympics. 

1982 World Cup

Surjit Singh

Surjit Singh led India to a fifth-place finish and India was the host of the mega event for the first time. Indian team fell short by just a point to qualify for the semifinals with Netherlands and Australia progressing from the group.

1986 World Cup

Shahid

The 1986 World Cup was the first time where the matches were held on astroturf and Mohammed Shahid was the first captain to lead the side on an astroturf surface at the World Cup. India finished last (twelfth) as the side couldn't adapt to the new playing surfaces. Many Asian teams including heavyweights Pakistan struggled to adapt.

1990 World Cup

Pargat Singh

After finishing last in the previous edition India did not improve much finishing in the tenth spot. The late 1980s was the start of a bad phase for the Indian hockey team which continued to go on for over a decade. Pargat Singh apart from being captain in the World Cup also led the side in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games.

1994 World Cup

Jude Felix

India after finishing the previous two World Cups in the 12th and 10th spots, finished a credible fifth in the 1994 World Cup under the captaincy of Jude Felix who led India from 1993 to 1995. Overall Felix has over 250 caps for India and after his playing days was also the mentor for the junior Indian team.

1998 World Cup

Dhanraj Pillay

Under the leadership of the great Dhanraj Pillay India finished in the ninth spot. In his career spanning 15 years, Pillay has 339 caps for the National team scoring 170 goals and is in the top 5 scorers list for India. 

2002 World Cup

Baljit Singh Dhillon

There wasn’t much improvement to the performance from the previous edition as the team finish tenth under Baljit Singh Dhillon. 

2006 World Cup

Dilip Tirkey

The current president of Hockey India led India in the 2006 World Cup where India finished in the eleventh spot. Dilip Tirkey is the most capped Indian player with over 400 appearances for the National team.

2010 World Cup

Rajpal Singh

India hosted the men’s World Cup for the second time and finished eighth under the leadership of Rajpal Singh. Rajpal has represented India 147 times scoring 47 goals. He was made the captain after replacing Sandeep Singh just before the start of the World Cup.  

2014 World Cup

Sardar Singh

India finished ninth in the 2014 edition under Sardar Singh. Sardar Singh was one of the best defensive midfielders in the Indian team and has represented the nation on 314 occasions scoring 16 goals.

2018 World Cup 

Manpreet Singh

There were high expectations that India would finish on the podium for the first time since the 1975 edition but lost in the quarterfinals finishing sixth. Manpreet Singh led the side well and under his guidance, India won the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (first medal at the Olympics in 36 years).