Former India drag-flicker Jugraj Singh sees shades of his own aggressive game in Harmanpreet Singh at the FIH World Cup, beginning this week.
Jugraj said the India captain’s aggressive approach often reminds him of his own playing days.
“His style is exactly like mine. His playing style and aggression remind me of myself. I see my reflection in him,” Jugraj said.
“I even tell him, ‘You are playing,’ and I feel like I am on the field.” Jugraj rates Harmanpreet among the world’s top three drag-flickers and feels the India captain has developed into a player the team can rely on in crucial moments. “Harmanpreet is currently one of the top three drag-flickers in the world. He has been playing brilliantly since the Tokyo Olympics,” Jugraj said.
“He has also worked hard on his fitness,” he added. Jugraj, 43, was the star of India’s title-winning campaign at the 2001 Junior World Cup in Hobart and was regarded as one of the finest drag-flickers of his generation, alongside Pakistan’s Sohail Abbas and Germany’s Florian Kunz.
Jugraj has remained closely associated with Harmanpreet’s game and sharing observations on his performance. “From outside, I am able to note a lot of things and guide him. Of course, the coaching staff must be doing this too, but I have worked with Harman for a long time,” he said. “In today’s hockey, it is not just about being a drag-flicker. What matters is your skill, how much you are able to assist in scoring goals and how you coordinate with other players,” he said. Agencies