Sports Desk, New Delhi. It has been decided to exclude three players of the Indian men's hockey team, including experienced midfielder Manpreet Singh, from the list of probable players before the upcoming season of the Pro League. However, this decision is surprising. According to sources, news agency PTI has written in its report that this step was taken due to 'disciplinary' reasons during the tour of South Africa in December last year. Now Manpreet has presented his clarification on this matter.
There is speculation about the omission of Manpreet, who is one match away from equaling Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey's record of 412 international matches. Along with Manpreet, Dilpreet Singh and goalkeeper Krishna Bahadur Pathak have also been dropped from the team.
Manpreet has said that he was not dropped from the team but he himself has decided to take rest. He wrote on social media Side
He wrote, "After an amazing HIA, where my team Ranchi Royals played the final, the coach spoke to me and approved my decision to rest. This short break will allow me to spend time with my family. It will also help me mentally recharge and come back stronger to the team."
Manpreet thanked Hockey India and wrote, "I thank Hockey India and the coach for allowing me to take this short break. I wish the Indian team all the best for the Pro League."
The Indian team played two Tests and one exhibition match in South Africa from 7 to 10 December 2025. A serious case of indiscipline came to light during that tour, when a player went missing from a team meeting. It was later revealed that Manpreet, Dilpreet and Pathak had allegedly fed him chewing gum containing a banned substance, due to which he became unconscious.
A source told PTI that the players apologized for feeding banned substances to a teammate, but the decision to keep them out of the upcoming camp was announced in the team meeting. It has also been learned that coach Craig Fulton did not give any written report of this incident to Hockey India.
The list of probable players for the upcoming season of Pro League has been released, in which some senior players have been rested. Head coach Craig Fulton protested against Manpreet's ouster and threatened to resign, but after persuasion by Hockey India, he agreed to remain in the post.
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