Drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh, who played a key role in the Indian hockey team’s historic bronze-winning Tokyo Olympics campaign, on Thursday announced his international retirement with immediate effect “to make way for the youth”.
Considered one of the best drag-flickers in the country, the 30-year-old represented India in 223 matches.
Nicknamed ‘Bob’, Rupinder scored four crucial goals, including a penalty stroke, in the third-place match against Germany during India’s bronze medal-winning campaign in Tokyo. The decision came as a surprise as considering his fitness and form, he had a few more years left in the game. “The last few months have undoubtedly been the best days of my life. Standing on the podium in Tokyo with my teammates with whom I have shared some of the most incredible experiences of my life was a feeling that I will always cherish, Rupinder wrote in a statement on his official Twitter handle.
“I believe it is time for me to be young and talented players to experience every great joy that I have felt in these last 13 years of representing India.” Rupinder’s journey from Faridkot in Punjab to the podium in Tokyo was full of difficulties and many comebacks.
Soon after making his international debut at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh in May 2010, Rupinder became a key force in India’s backline and V.R. With Raghunath, a deadly dragflick combination formed.
Apart from his fearless defense, Rupinder was the ‘go-to’ person for any captain for penalty corners and spot conditions.
Rupinder’s well-built physique and tall frame were a menacing sight for any team to defend in penalty corner situations. He was also known for his smart variations.
In the same year he was named as the vice-captain of India’s 2014 World Cup campaign, apart from being a member of the Commonwealth Games silver medalist side.
Rupinder has two medals at the Asian Games – a gold in 2014 Incheon and a bronze in 2018 Jakarta.
But he became the scapegoat after the Asian Games disappointment as he was mostly ignored in the team’s overhaul.
In between, injuries also didn’t help his cause as a hamstring problem nearly ended his career in 2017, a time he once described as the “toughest phase” of his life.
Harmanpreet Singh benefited the most from Rupinder’s six-month-long injury but after his successful comeback, the duo became India’s trump cards from short corners and their pairing continued till Tokyo.
Rupinder’s biggest success has come in this year’s Tokyo Games.
“I have had the honor of wearing the India jersey in 223 matches and each of these matches was special. I feel happy and satisfied with the team as we have won the biggest dream which was to win an Olympic medal for India. “I will carry with me nothing but great memories of playing with some of the most talented players in world hockey and I have great respect for each and every one of them,” he said.
“My teammates have been a great pillar of support over the years and I wish them all the best as they move forward to take India to new heights in hockey.” Rupinder credits his success to his friends and family, especially his parents.
“None of the success I am enjoying today would have been possible without the support and encouragement of my friends and family, especially my mother and father. I used to go to every match thinking about them.” He also thanked Hockey India and all those who played a big role in shaping his career.
I thank Hockey India for believing in me all these years. I would also like to thank Baba Sher Shah Wali Academy and Coaches, Ferozepur, from where my journey in hockey started. I would like to thank my friends and coaches in Faridkot from where I have some fond memories as a young player.
“I would also like to thank the coaches Late Mr. Jasbir Singh Bajwa, Mr. OP Ahlawat and my friends from Chandigarh Hockey Academy who played a big role in my formative years as a player.”
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