Legends of Indian Hockey: 30+ Best Hockey Players of India with Career Stats

The overwhelming guilt of defeat haunted the mind of the wizard who then proclaimed, “As long as I live, I shall never forget this match, or get over the shock of this defeat, which still rankles me.” The hockey legend Dhyan Chand had grown restless after British India’s loss against the host Germany in a practice match of the 1936 Summer Olympics. The above-mentioned line was a confession he made to himself on that sleepless night. The outcome of this became a memory so captivating, a promise so long-lasting, and a story so inspiring that it revolutionized the course of Indian hockey. British India won 8-1 against Germany in the finals and the rest is history. We will further know about the famous hockey players of India and how these hockey legends of India created history.

The victory at the 1936 Olympics against one of the growing superpowers fueled the nationwide movement for Indian independence. Post-independence, several famous hockey players in India reminisced about these memories to empower their game. As a result, the Indian hockey team managed to win gold in three consecutive Olympics, from 1948 to 1956. The hockey legends of India embarked on a glorious journey and are famed as the undisputed champions of the stick and ball game.

List of Best Hockey Players of India

It is our immense pleasure to list the names of hockey legends and famous hockey players in India today. Let’s start with the legends of Indian Hockey.

S. No.	Name	Span
1	Dhyan Chand	1926–1949
2	Balbir Singh Dosanjh	1948–1956
3	Udham Singh	1952–1964
4	Dhanraj Pillay	1989–2004
5	Roop Singh	1932-1940
6	Leslie Claudius	1948–1960
7	Gagan Ajit Singh	1997–2007
8	Ajit Pal Singh	1960-1980
9	Mohammad Shahid	1979–1989
10	K.D. Singh	1946-1955
11	Shankar Laxman	1955-1968
12	P.R. Sreejesh	2006–2023
13	Sandeep Singh	2004–2012
14	Mandeep Singh	2013-2023
15	Harmanpreet Singh	2015-2023
16	V.R. Raghunath	2005–2017
17	Manpreet Singh	2011-2023
18	Rupinder Pal Singh	2010-2023
19	S.V. Sunil	2007–2022
20	Akashdeep Singh	2012-2023
21	Birendra Lakra	2012–2022
22	Vivek Prasad	2018-2023
23	S.K Uthappa	2012-2023
24	Deepak Thakur	1999–2010
25	Dilpreet Singh	2018-2023
26	Ashok Kumar	1970-1979
27	Hardik Singh	2018-2023
28	Sardara Singh	2006–2018
29	Varun Kumar	2017-2023
30	Gurjant Singh	2017-2023

1. Dhyan Chand | Hockey legends of India

Born on 25 August 1905, Dhyan grew up to join the British Indian army like his father. He was known to be more inclined towards wrestling but his fate took him elsewhere. He started playing for the Army team and the nation discovered his impeccable goal-scoring talent. As the British Indian team stepped foot in the 1928 Summer Olympics, the world witnessed a god-sweeping goal through the lush green fields of Amsterdam. A famous tale revolves around his mystic reputation wherein he refused a higher position in the Nazi German army offered by Hitler himself.

Nicknamed “The magician,” Dhyan Chand is the greatest hockey player of all time. Chand’s control over the ball has been subject to many famous sports sagas. Today, India celebrates his birthday as National Sports Day.

Dhyan Chand Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 1926–1949
2. Appearances: 185
3. Career Goals: 570
4. Playing Position: Centre forward
5. Best Performance: As Captain of the British Indian Hockey team at the 1936 Summer Olympics
   • Won 3 gold medals in Olympic games
   • Awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1956

2. Balbir Singh Dosanjh | Hockey legends of India

Born in 1924, Balbir Singh Sr. is a living legend and the most famous hockey player in India after Dhyan Chand. Singh’s aggressive, machine-like goal-scoring power built his formidable image. The Olympic Museum Exhibition of 2012 recognized Singh’s contributions to the dynamic sport of hockey. Singh was conferred with the Padma Shri in 1957 and honored with the title of Indian Sportsperson of the year in 1982.

Singh has established a gigantic reputation over the decades. He holds the Guinness World Record for scoring the most number of goals (5) in an Olympic men’s field hockey final. Singh received the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement award in the year 2015.

Balbir Singh Dosanjh Achievements:

1. Career Span: 1948–1956
2. Playing Position: Centre forward
3. Best Performance: 1952 Summer Olympics
   • Member of 3 times Olympic Gold Medal winning teams (1948, 1952, and 1956 Olympic Games).
   • Member of 2 times Silver Medal winning teams at the Asian Games (1958 & 1962).
   • First sports person to be honoured with the Padma Shri Award (1957).
   • In 1958, Balbir, along with Gurdev Singh, was featured on a stamp issued by the Dominican Republic to commemorate the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

3. Udham Singh | Hockey legends of India

Born in 1928, Udham hailed from a small village, Sansarpur, in Jalandhar, which is credited for producing many national hockey players. He took up hockey as a career during his college years. He played hockey for the Punjab police for around eighteen years and his remarkable performance domestically earned him several caps. Udham Singh made daily headlines when he matched the feat of Leslie Claudius in 1964 for possessing the most Olympics medals. As a Coach of the Indian Hockey team, Udham won a bronze and a silver in the later years. Being one of India’s all-time famous hockey players, Udham was presented with the Arjuna Award in 1965.

Udham Singh Achievements:

1. Career Span: 1952–1964
2. Playing Position: Centre forward
3. Best Performance: 1958 Asian Games
   • He is also known as Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Udham Singh (expression “Shaheed-e-Azam”, means “great martyr”).
   • A district of Uttarakhand was named Udham Singh Nagar in October 1995 by the Mayawati government to pay homage to Shaheed Udham Singh.
   • According to historian Malti Malik, Udhamsingh was a symbol of all religion in the country and hence he changed his name to Ram Mohammad Singh Azad which is the symbol of three major religions of India.

4. Dhanraj Pillay | Hockey legends of India

He is the only player in Indian hockey history to have appeared in four Olympics, World Cups, Champions Trophies and Asian Games each. Dhanraj is a special mention in the list that recounts the names of famous hockey players in India because of his innumerable contributions to the world of hockey during his fifteen years of career. He remains controversial for his straightforward opinions against hockey management in India. Dhanraj focuses on improving the game of Indian hockey on the AstroTurf.

He is a well-known figure in international hockey which finds him a torchbearer of Indian hockey today. Dhanraj received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award for 1999-2000 in recognition of his accomplishments.

Dhanraj Pillay Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 1989–2004
2. Appearances: 339
3. Goals: 170
4. Best Performance: As Captain of the Indian Hockey team at the 1998 Asian Games
   • The only Indian to have competed in four Olympics, four World Cups, four Champions Trophy tournaments, and four Asian Games.
   • India won the Asian Games (1998) and the Asia Cup (1998) when he was captain (2003)
   • ecipient of The Arjun Award (1995)
   •  Recipient of The Padma Shri (2001)
   • East Bengal club conferred him with Bharat Gaurav (2017)

5. Roop Singh | Hockey legends of India

India produced the best inside left in the year 1932. As the younger brother to Major Dhyan Chand, Roop played alongside him to stage India as the king of field hockey. He was widely recognized for his aggressive style of play and humble personality in real life. He remains one of the most famous hockey players in India to date. A street in Munich and a cricket ground in Gwalior stand as proof of his magnificence.

Roop Singh Achievements:

1. Career Span: 1932 – 1940
2. Playing Position: Left-in
3. Best Performance: 1932 Summer Olympics
   • Gold medal in 1932 Los Angles
   • Gold Medal in 1936 Berlin

6. Leslie Claudius | Hockey legends of India

Born in 1927, Leslie grew up with an interest in football. However, Indian Olympian Richard Carr witnessed a spark of hockey skills in him. Coming from a middle-class Anglo-Indian family, Claudius persistently looked for a career in sports. It was a blessing to Indian hockey that he quit his soccer dreams soon after winning the Beighton Cup. His world-class performance on the field propelled him alongside many names of famous hockey payers in India at the time.

He remained a part of the dominant Indian hockey team that won three consecutive Olympic golds from 1948 to 1956. His influence went well beyond as he received Padma Shri in 1971 and a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most Olympic medals in field hockey.

Leslie Claudius Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 1948–1960
2. Appearances: 100+
3. Playing Position: Half-back
4. Best Performance: As Captain of the Indian Hockey team at the 1960 Olympics
   • In 1971 he was awarded the Padma Shri.
   • Mention in the Guinness Book of World Records along with Udham Singh for having won the most number of Olympic medals in field hockey.
   • In 2011 The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee presented the Bharat Gaurav award instituted by East Bengal Club to Leslie Claudius.
   • For the 2012 Olympics, the Bushey tube station was renamed after Claudius in the special “Olympic Legends Map”. He was one of six all-time hockey greats who were honored in this manner.
   • In 2012 he was awarded The Banga Bibhushan.
   • A road in Maidan was named after him as Leslie Claudius Sarani in 2015.

7. Gagan Ajit Singh| Hockey legends of India

Former hockey player Gagan Ajit Singh is well-known in India and has competed for his nation internationally. Singh, who was born on October 31, 1981, in Amritsar, came from a family with a long history of participation in sports. He started playing hockey at a young age. In 2002, Singh made his international debut for India, and he rapidly became a vital member of the team. At the 2006 Asian Games, he was voted the best player after playing a significant part in the team’s bronze-medal victory.

Singh was a member of the Indian team that took home the coveted Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2008. He was honoured as the competition’s top player and praised for his outstanding exploits by both spectators and analysts. Singh, who was a member of the Indian team that took home the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup’s silver medal in 2012, was honoured as the competition’s top player. A member of the Indian squad that took home the bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Games, he was also voted the competition’s top player.

Gagan Ajit Singh Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 1997–2007
2. Appearances: 100+
3. Playing Position: Half-back
4. Best Performance:
   • Voted the “Promising Junior Sportsman” in 1997, by Delhi Sports Journalists Association
   • Captained the team that won the Junior Nationals in 1999, held in Bangalore
   • Won the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award at the 2001 Jawaharlal Nehru Hockey Tournament, held in Delhi
   • Played a crucial role in India’s gold medal victory at the 2001 Men’s Champions Challenge, held in Kuala Lumpur
   • Captained the team that secured the 1st position at the Jawaharlal Nehru Hockey Tournament, held in 2002, in Delhi
   • Received the “Arjuna Award” in 2002
   • Presented with the “Hero Honda Sports Award” in 2003-04

8. Ajit Pal Singh | Hockey legends of India

Born in the year of Indian independence, Ajit was hailed as another budding talent from Sansarpur, Punjab. At 73, he still looks after the Indian hockey team. Ajit is one of the living hockey legends of India. His excellent show of skills in the 1968 Olympics earned him several caps for the Indian hockey team. However, Ajit announced his retirement from professional hockey after the team’s collapse at the 1976 Olympics. He was honored with the Arjuna Award in 1970 and the Padma Shri in 1992 for his extraordinary contributions to Indian hockey.

Ajit Pal Singh Achievements:

1. Career Span: 1960-1980
2. Playing Position: Halfback
3. Best Performance: As Captain of the Indian Hockey team at the 1975 World Hockey Cup
   • As an honour for his outstanding contribution to Indian Hockey.
   • Ajit Pal Singh was conferred upon the Arjuna Award in 1970.
   • Further, he was also bestowed upon the Padma Shri award in 1992.

9. Mohammed Shahid | Hockey legends of India

Born in 1960, the hockey maestro hailed from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. In his 10 years of international career, Shahid scored goals in three summer Olympics and two Asian Games. Famous for the ‘Half push-half hit’ stroke, Shahid inspired many others like Dhanraj Pillay to express their zeal for hockey. His skills won him the position on the Asian All-star team of 1986. Shahid received the Arjuna Award in 1980 and Padma Shri six years later. The decade of the 80s is remembered in his memory.

Mohammed Shahid Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 1979–1989
2. Playing Position: Forward
3. Best Performance: The Best player at the 1986 Men’s Hockey World Cup
   • Arjuna Award (1980–81)
   • Padma Shri (1986)
   • Best player 1986 Men’s Hockey World Cup

10. K.D. Singh | Hockey legends of India

Born in 1922, Kunwar Digvijay Singh, fondly called Babu showed proficiency in the field of hockey which earned him an international status parallel to the wizard. Former New Zealand Captain Cyril Walter once wrote, “I run out of adjectives in trying to describe his superlative dribbling and the timing and geometrical accuracy of his passing. Babu’s dribbling is poetry in motion.”In 1953, K.D. received the Helms Trophy and the title of Best Sportsman in the World.

K.D. Singh Achievements:

1. Career Span: 1946-1955
2. Playing Position: Inside right
3. Best Performance: 1948 Summer Olympics
   • Singh received the Helms Trophy in 1953 for being the best hockey player in the world (1952) and the best sportsman of Asia (1953). This was the first time an Indian was awarded the Helms Trophy.
   • In 1958, he was awarded the prestigious Padmashri award by the Government of India.
   • The stadiums in Barabanki and Lucknow are named after him. The stadiums at Lucknow and Barabanki, both, are known as the “K. D. Singh Babu Stadium”
   • A street in Barabanki city connecting Chhaya Chauraha and Lucknow-Faizabad Road is named after him.

11. Shankar Laxman | Hockey legends of India

Nicknamed the Rock of Gibraltar, Shankar defended the Indian goalpost carrying a superlative charisma derived from his army strength. Shankar showed exceptional performance when the Indian hockey team faced a major setback due to the hand fracture of its dynamic captain Balbir Singh, at the 1956 Olympics. His personality boasted magnificence, so much so that an Australian hockey magazine once wrote, “For Lakshman, the ball was the size of a football. It was his afternoon of glory and fame,” noting his performance at the finals of the 1964 Olympics.

Shankar received the Arjuna Award and Padma Shri during his career and was posthumously bestowed with the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. This is why he appears in the many names of famous hockey players in India.

Shankar Laxman Achievements:

1. Career Span: 1955-1968
2. Playing Position: Goalkeeper
3. Best Performance: 1956 Summer Olympics
   • In 1964, he was awarded India’s highest sports honour, the Arjuna award from Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the President of India.
   • In the 1964 Olympic final against Pakistan, Pakistan’s Chef-de-mission Major General Musa said, Give us Joginder and Shankar Lakshman, we will defeat you. It was the ultimate tribute to Shankar.
   • In 1967 he was presented with the prestigious Padma Shri award by the President of India Zakir Husain.
   • Garrison ground of Mhow has been dedicated to Lakshman, the Infantry School has named it as Honorary Captain Shankar Lakshman Stadium.
   • In 1979 Laxman retired as an Honorary Captain in the Maratha Light Infantry.
   • During the 1964 Hockey Olympics finals against Pakistan in Tokyo, an Australian Hockey magazine Hockey Circle quoted “‘for Lakshman, the ball was the size of a football. It was his afternoon of glory and fame’.“
   • In 2016, he was posthumously awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award.

Results

Games	Discipline (Sport) / Event	NOC / Team	Pos	Medal	As
1956 Summer Olympics	Hockey	IND			Shankar Laxman
	Hockey, Men (Olympic)	India	1	Gold
1960 Summer Olympics	Hockey	IND			Shankar Laxman
	Hockey, Men (Olympic)	India	2	Silver
1964 Summer Olympics	Hockey	IND			Shankar Laxman
	Hockey, Men (Olympic)	India	1	Gold

12. P.R. Sreejesh | Best Goal Keeper for India

Hailing from a small village in Kerala, Sreejesh solidified his place in the national team right after his schooling days. He is regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in the world. Sreejesh achieved the feat of Best Goalkeeper twice in the Champions Trophy tournaments. His performance in the Asian and Commonwealth games remains noteworthy. He was awarded Padma Shri in the year 2017.

P.R. Sreejesh Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 2006 – 2023
2. Appearances: 208
3. Playing Position: Goalkeeper
4. Best Performance: 2018 Champions Trophy
   • 2021 – Khel Ratna Award, highest sporting honour of India.
   • 2022- “World Athlele Of The Year 2021”.
   • Gold – 2014: Asian Game held in Incheon
   • Silver – 2014: Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow,
     • 2016: Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy held in London
   • Bronze – 2015: Men’s FIH Hockey World League held in Raipur
   • ‘Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament’ 2013 Asia Cup, Malaysia
   • ‘Goalkeeper of the Tournament’ 2014 Champions Trophy, India

13. Sandeep Singh | Hockey legends of India

Sandeep Singh is an Indian hockey icon and one of the game’s most motivating captains. He won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, was a two-time Olympian, and was one of the best drag flickers in the world in his heyday. Sandeep Singh, who was born on February 27, 1986, in the Shahabad community of Kurukshetra, Haryana, started playing hockey out of spite.

His life is a tale of unwavering resolve, triumph over adversity, willpower, and unmatched passion. A tale of profound self-discovery and unrelenting tenacity that is certain to inspire millions. Sandeep Singh is without a doubt one of the top hockey players in India and the entire world. We’ll examine Sandeep Singh, a.k.a. “Flicker Singh” in this blog post, as well as his fascinating life story, trivia, social media, etc.

Sandeep Singh Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 2004–2012
2. Appearances: 186
3. Playing Position: Fullback
4. Best Performance: 2018 Champions Trophy
   • Sandeep Singh scored the most goals and won the Man of the Tournament award in the 2009 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
   • Scoring 16 goals, Singh was the leading goal scorer in the qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics – scored five goals in the final.
   • April 2004: Junior Asia Cup top scorer – scored 16 goals.
   • 2008: Sultan Azlan Shah Cup – Sundeep was top scorer.
   • 2009: Sultan Azlan Shah Cup – Sundeep was top scorer.
   • 2010: Asia Games top scorer – scored 11 goals.
   • 2010: World record for fastest drag flick – 145 km/h.
   • 2013: Hockey India League – Top scorer – 11 goals in 12 games.
   • 2014: Hockey India League – Top scorer – 11 goals.

14. Mandeep Singh | Famous Hockey players of India

Hailing from Jalandhar, Punjab, Mandeep Singh has made sure that the opponent goalpost stands as the enemy and he keeps shooting balls at it. This budding talent is domestically one of the most famous hockey players in India. He has played in around eight international tournaments and flawlessly represented India in all of them.

Mandeep Singh Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 2013-2023
2. Appearances/Goals: 120+/60
3. Playing Position: Forward
4. Best Performance: 2018 Asian Games
   • Ponty Chadha Trophy for the Upcoming Player of the Tournament (2013)
   • Best Junior Player of the 2012–14 Men’s FIH Hockey World League Final(2014)

15. Harmanpreet Singh | Bestest Hockey players of India

Arriving from the outskirts of Amritsar, Harman’s stick play has time and again left the audience mesmerized. His goal-scoring power and macho persona have won hearts across the continent. A promising player who strives to take the game of Indian hockey ahead, which is why he appears side by side with the names of famous hockey players in India.

Simply expressed, his tremendous talent and steadfast commitment were a major factor in India’s successful Olympic campaign in 2020. Harmanpreet received the prestigious Player of the Year award for men in both the 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 FIH Player of the Year Awards as a reward for his ongoing brilliance. He won a silver medal at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, adding to his list of accomplishments.

Harmanpreet Singh Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 2015-2023
2. Appearances/Goals: 100+/56
3. Playing Position: Defender
4. Best Performance: 2018 Asian Champions Trophy
   • Junior Asia Cup, Kuantan 2015 – Gold
   • Junior World Cup, Lucknow 2016 – Gold
   • World League, Bhubaneswar 2016-17 – Bronze
   • Champions Trophy, London 2016 – Silver
   • Asia Cup, Dhaka 2017 – Gold
   • Asian Champions Trophy, Muscat 2018 – Gold
   • Champions Trophy, Breda 2018 – Silver
   • Asian Games, Jakarta 2018 – Bronze

16. V.R. Raghunath | Legend Hockey players of India

A prominent drag-flicker emerged out of the Kodagu district of Karnataka. Raghunath debuted in the year 2005 and has portrayed a significant role in strengthening the national team. His performance in the international arena is visible from the statistics. He has adjudged the Best Player of the Asia Cup tournament in 2013 for his extraordinary contributions.

V.R. Raghunath Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 2005–2017
2. Appearances/Goals: 220+/130+
3. Playing Position: Fullback
4. Best Performance: 2013 Asia Cup
   • He was a part of the Indian team that won bronze in the 2007 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, silver in 2008,
   • He won gold in the 2007 Asia Cup and silver in 2013.
   • Having scored six goals in the 2013 Asia Cup.
   • Raghunath was awarded the ‘Best Player of the Tournament’.

17. Manpreet Singh | Hockey legends of India

Captain of the current Indian national hockey team, Manpreet is known for his fun personality, effective leadership, and excellent field support. He is the most valued hockey player in India today. He recently won the FIH Player of the Year 2019 award. Till now, Manpreet has been a part of various tournaments where India won four gold, five silver, and three bronze medals. The future of Indian hockey looks bright with him at the helm of the national team. His name shall soon be added to the names of famous hockey players in India.

Manpreet Singh Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 2011-2023
2. Appearances/Goals: 240+/19
3. Playing Position: Halfback
4. Best Performance: As Captain of the Indian Hockey team at the 2018 Asian Champions Trophy
   • Asia’s Junior Player of the Year (2014)
   • Earned the title of Best Midfielder of the Year Hockey India Annual Awards (2015)
   • AHF (Asian Hockey Federation) Best Player of the Year (2015)
   • Arjuna Award (2018)
   • FIH (Fédération Internationale de Hockey) Player of the Year (2019)
   • Hockey India Dhruv Batra Player of the Year Award (2019)
   • Earned the title of Sportsman of the Decade at ACES Awards (2021)
   • Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021

18. Rupinder Pal Singh | Best Hockey players of India

A pupil of the Chandigarh Hockey Academy grew into massive fame for his attacking style of play. Rupinder finds a spot on the list of famous hockey players in India because of his impressive feat after the hat-trick against Britain in the 2010 Azlan Cup. He is world-renowned for his drag flick. Rupinder has represented India on various international occasions and posed as the top scorer in one of them in 2011. There is no wonder why he appears in the list that recollects the names of famous hockey players in India.

Rupinder Pal Singh Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 2010-2023
2. Appearances/Goals: 200+/80+
3. Playing Position: Fullback
4. Best Performance: 2010 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
   • 2010 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, India won the Gold
   • 2011 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, won Top-scorer Award, named in Sultan Azlan Shah’s XI
   • 2011 Asian Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy, India won the Gold
   • 2011 Men’s Hockey Champions Challenge I, India won the Silver
   • 2012 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, India won the Bronze
   • 2012 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy, India stood 4th
   • 2012 Asian Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy, India won the Silver
   • 2012–13 Men’s FIH Hockey World League Round 2, scored 7 goals
   • 2013 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, won Top-scorer Award
   • 2013 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup, India won Silver, scored 6 goals
   • 2014 Men’s Hockey World Cup
   • 2014 Commonwealth Games, India won the Silver
   • 2014 Asian Games, held in Incheon, India won Gold
   • 2014 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy, India stood 4th
   • 2014-15 Men’s FIH Hockey World League, India won the Bronze
   • 2016 Asian Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy, India won the Gold
   • 2016 Olympic Games held at Rio de Janeiro
   • 2016 Asian Champions Trophy, India won the Gold, and he won the “Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament” (11 goals) and the “Best Player of the Tournament” award
   • 4-Nations Invitational Tournament, held in Melbourne, he won the “Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament” award (6 goals)
   • 2017 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, India won the Bronze
   • 2017 Hockey World League Finals held in Bhubaneshwar, India won the Bronze, and he won the “Fan’s Choice Award”
   • 2018 4-Nations Invitational Tournament, held in Tauranga and Hamilton, in New Zealand
   • 2018 Commonwealth Games, held at Gold Coast, Australia
   • 2018 Asian Games, held in Jakarta, India won the Bronze
   • 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in Tokyo, India won the Bronze

19. S.V. Sunil |Famous Hockey players of India

Born in the Kodagu district of Karnataka, Sunil endured a childhood of unimaginable struggle. After losing his mother at four, Sunil learned to take care of himself at an early age. His extraordinary footwork and pace of play amazed the selectors and he landed an international hockey career in the year 2007. He earned the opportunity to represent India in the 2012 Olympics and 2014 Commonwealth Games. Sunil’s motivational story shows that no hurdle can stop embracing skill and empowered zeal.

When Sunil was 14 years old, he started playing hockey and began training at Bangalore’s Boys’ Sports Company. He was chosen in 2005 to serve as a havildar in the Indian Army Service Corps, where he excelled as a player in the inter-services league. He got a contract with Chennai Veerans in 2007 to participate in the Premier Hockey League’s first season. He played with Bangalore Hi-Fliers the next year.

S.V. Sunil Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 2007–2022
2. Appearances/Goals: 250/59
3. Playing Position: Halfback
4. Best Performance: 2011 Champion’s Challenge
   • Made his successful senior international debut by bagging a gold medal along with his team at the ASHF Asia Cup of 2007, held in Chennai
   • Part of the team that bagged a silver medal at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2008
   • Scored four goals at the Champions Challenge of 2011, the most by any Indian forward player in the tournament
   • Part of the team that won a gold medal in 2011 and a silver medal at the 2012 Men’s Asian Champions Trophy
   • Bagged a gold medal at the Asian Games and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games of 2014
   • Earned a bronze medal at the FIH Hockey World League of 2015, held in Raipur
   • Won silver medals at the Hockey Champions Trophy of 2016 and 2018, held in London and Breda, respectively

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20. Akashdeep Singh | Best Hockey players of India

Rising through the ranks of domestic tournaments, Akashdeep swayed his way to the Indian national hockey team. He is a young spirit and the sports media has often captured his dynamic play. He represented India in the 2016 Olympics and the 2018 Commonwealth Games. His growing popularity has placed him in the list of famous hockey players in India of all time.

Akashdeep Singh Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 2012-2023
2. Appearances/Goals: 170+/30+
3. Playing Position: Forward
4. Best Performance: 2018 Asian Champions Trophy
   • In 2012, he was a part of the team that played the Junior World Cup that was held in New Delhi.
   • He helped the Indian team win the gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games in Korea and the Asia Cup held in Dhaka in 2017.
   • He was also a part of the silver medal-winning team that came second in the 2014 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow.
   • He led the Indian forward lineup at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta where India performed astoundingly well but suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Malaysia in the semi-finals ending up with a bronze medal.

21. Birendra Lakra | Best Hockey players of India

A distinguished player from Rourkela, Orissa, Birendra is one of the famous Lakra hockey families. His brother and sister are both national-level players. His name sounds prominent cause of the recognition he gathered during the semi-finals of the 2012 Champions Trophy. Domestically, Birendra has managed to gain a very patient reputation as he supports his at the most critical moments.

Birendra Lakra Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 2012–2022
2. Appearances/Goals: 170+/9
3. Playing Position: Fullback
4. Best Performance: 2012 Champions Challenge Tournament
   • Historic bronze medal at Tokyo Olympics
   • A two-time HIL title winner with Ranchi
   • Gold & bronze medals at Asian Games
   • Silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games
   • Hockey India 2nd Annual Awards 2015
   • Silver medalist in the 2018 Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy
   • Arjuna award in 2021.

22. Vivek Prasad | Emerging Hockey players of India

Indian hockey found this pure talent in Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh. At the age of 20, he managed to show his excellent proficiency and earn a massive crowd of fans. You have to appreciate this young fellow as he gets nourished under the Indian hockey team. Vivek was named the best young player at the 2019 FIH Series Finale.

Before making their imprint on the international scene, the majority of players must toil for years. Vivek Sagar Prasad, a midfielder for the Indian hockey team, was, however, “an instant success.” At 17 years, 10 months, and 22 days old, Vivek Sagar Prasad made his senior India debut in January 2018, making him the second-youngest player to play for his nation.

The inventive playmaker has represented India in over 90 international matches since then.Before making their imprint on the international scene, the majority of players must toil for years. Vivek Sagar Prasad, a midfielder for the Indian hockey team, was, however, “an instant success.”

Vivek Prasad Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 2018-2023
2. Appearances/Goals: 58/15
3. Playing Position: Midfielder
4. Best Performance: 2018 Champions Trophy
   • Youth Olympic Games 2018 – Silver medal
   • Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Bronze medal
   • Commonwealth Games 2022 – Silver medal
   • Champions Trophy 2018 – Silver medal 
   • Asian Games 2018 – Bronze Medal
   • FIH Men’s Rising Star of the Year 2019
   • Arjuna Award 2021 
   • FIH Young Player of the Year 2021

23. S.K. Uthappa |Top Hockey players of India

Another budding talent has hailed from the Kodagu district of Karnataka. He debuted in the year 2012 and since then, effectively participated in more than 100 international matches. His experience and aggressive play style have placed him on the list of famous hockey players in India. Moreover, he received the Ekalavya award in 2014 for his fantastic performance on the field.

Uthappa made his debut against South Africa on January 16, 2012, in Delhi, during the opening game of a five-match series. In the 53rd minute of the game, he scored a goal. He participated in four of the five contests and finished with three goals. Then, he was selected to participate in the 2012 Olympic Qualification Tournament. He played in all six games and scored one goal, which came against Singapore.

S.K. Uthappa Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 2012-2023
2. Appearances/Goals: 100+/10+
3. Playing Position: Midfield
4. Best Performance: As Captain of the Indian Hockey team at the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy
   • Champions Trophy: 2016, second place
   • Asian Hockey Champions Trophy: 2016

24. Deepak Thakur | Famous Hockey players of India

Star of the junior Olympics still stands as one of India’s most famous hockey players for early performances. Thakur is recalled for his exceptional performance in the 2001 Junior World Cup, where India won the gold. He received the Arjuna Award in 2004 for playing a key role in encouraging the youth of India to pursue hockey as a professional career.

Deepak Thakur Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 1999–2010
2. Appearances/Goals: 65+/73
3. Playing Position: Forward 
4. Best Performance: 2001 Junior World Cup
   • He was awarded Arjuna Award in 2004 for taking Indian hockey to next higher level.
   • Won the “Player of the Tournament” award at the 1998 Surjeet Memorial Hockey Tournament, held in Jalandhar
   • Proved instrumental in India’s gold medal win at the 2001 Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup, held in Hobart
   • Played an important role in the team in winning a silver medal for India at the 2002 Asian Games, held in Busan
   • Gave his crucial contribution in winning a gold medal at the 2003 Afro-Asian Games, held in Hyderabad
   • Awarded the prestigious “Arjuna Award” in 2004 by the Government of India

25. Dilpreet Singh | Famous Hockey players of India

The 20-year-old made his international debut in 2018 with the New Zealand tour, and the coaches were impressed enough to choose him for all three major competitions that year: the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and World Cup. The young striker is highly rated and seen as a future star despite his lack of experience. The youngster, a prestigious Surjit Hockey Academy graduate in Jalandhar, frequently traveled with the Indian youth team but was left off the final World Cup roster in 2016. But now, India will need his efforts more than ever.

Dilpreet Singh Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 2018-2023
2. Appearances: 180
3. Playing Position: Forward
4. Best Performance: He scored 2 goals which both were field goal
   • While doing graduation he have also done a lots of part time job and after completing his graduation he started working as truck driver
   • In 2018 he have won in Asian Game – Men’s tournamnet
   • In 2020 in summer Olympics – Men’s tournamnet
   • Dilpreet is very active on Social media account and he is very close to his nephew he post some of the photos with him
   • Also in 2016, his death and fake car accident pictures went viral on social media platform which created a lot of mess in his career.

26. Ashok Kumar | Hockey legends of India

Ashok Kumar, a former professional field hockey player from India, was born on June 1st, 1950. His father, Indian hockey player Dhyan Chand, is his father. Kumar was well-known for having excellent ball control and abilities. He competed for India in the 1975 World Cup, which they won. In 1966–67, he played for Rajasthan University, while in 1968–69 he played for All India Universities. After that, he relocated to Calcutta to play for Mohun Bagan Club, representing Bengal in the 1971 National Championships in Bangalore.

Later, he joined Indian Airlines, which he later represented in national competitions. When he was a team member for the Asian Games in Bangkok in 1970, when they finished second behind Pakistan, he made his debut on the world stage. Additionally, he competed in the Asian Games in 1974 and 1978, which were held in Tehran and Bangkok, respectively, and won silver medals both times. Kumar twice represented India at the Olympic Games, at Munich in 1972 and Montreal in 1976. India placed third in 1972 and eighth in 1976, respectively.

Ashok Kumar Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 1970-1979
2. Appearances: 180
3. Playing Position: Forward
4. Best Performance: At the 1975 World Cup
   • He won silver at the 1973 World Cup,
   • He won gold in 1975
   • He won bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
   • In 1979, he was made captain for the Esanda hockey tournament in Australia, which was also his last international assignment.
   • Ashok Kumar was given the Arjuna Award in 1974 and continued to play domestic hockey for a long time.

27. Hardik Singh | Hockey players of India

In 2018, he made his senior international debut at the Asian Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy and was a member of India’s team at the 2018 Men’s Hockey World Cup. Before that, he served as vice-captain of the Indian junior team.

Hardik improved his skills after playing for his town, and he could now compete with junior state and national players. He competed in domestic competitions, winning a bronze medal in the 2014 4th Hockey India Sub Junior National Championship.

The talented hockey player from Punjab competed in several international competitions, winning gold in the 2016 Under-18 Asia Cup and the 2016 Euro Asia Cup. In the Four-Nation International Tournament that took place in 2016, he also managed to win a gold medal.
Hardik still needs to establish himself on the senior Indian hockey squad. He just had the chance to compete with the senior squad in the 2018 Hero Asian Champions Trophy.

Hardik Singh Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 2018-2023
2. Appearances/Goals/CA:180/1+/39+
3. Playing Position: Mid Fielder
4. Best Performance: At Tokyo Olympics 2020

Serial Number	Events and Years	Records and Achievements
1	2018 Muscat Tournament	He was part of Indian team who clinched gold medal
2	2021 Dhaka Tournament	He was part of Indian team who clinched bronze medal
3	2020 Tokyo Olympics	He was part of Indian team who clinched gold medal
4	2014( Under 21 level)	He played 4 games at under 21 level in the year 2014
5	2018( Senior National side)	He made debut for senior national side in the year 2018 where he scored 5 goals from 69 matches till date

28. Sardara Singh | Famous Hockey players of India

Hockey Player Sardara Singh, also known as Sardar Singh, played field hockey professionally for India in the past and captained the squad. His birthday is July 15, 1986. He generally plays the center-half position. Sardara was the nation’s youngest player to serve as captain when he led the Indian squad at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2008. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2015, which ranks as India’s fourth-highest civilian honor. The Indian Team’s goaltender, P. R. Shreejesh, succeeded him as captain on July 13, 2016. On September 12, 2018, Sardara announced his departure from international hockey. He played 314 games over 12 years.

The seasoned hockey player, recently nominated for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, made his debut for India in the junior team’s match against Poland during the 2003–04 season. Sardar gained notoriety when he became the Indian team’s youngest captain, leading his group in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2008 after being promoted to the senior team in 2006. Sardar was also granted the Arjuna Award in 2012.

Sardara Singh Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 2006–2018
2. Appearances:178
3. Playing Position: Mid Fielder
4. Best Performance: Hockey World League Semi-Final 2017 where they stood sixth.
   • Awarded ‘Player of Tournament’ in the 2012 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, where India won the Bronze.
   • He was adjudged the Player of the Tournament in the 2012 Summer Olympics Qualifiers, where India won the Gold.
   • He was adjudged the Player of the Tournament in the 2010 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, where India won the Gold.
   • He participated in Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament in Malaysia in the year 2006 and the team won Bronze Medal.
   • He participated in SAF Games at Colombo in the year 2006 and the team scored 2nd position.
   • He participated in 7th Junior Challenge Open Men’s at Poland 2006 and scored 2nd position.
   • He participated in 2007 Men’s Hockey Champions Challenge at Belgium 2007 and got Bronze Medal.
   • He participated in Commonwealth Games 2006 at Melbourne.
   • He participated in INDO-PAK series 2006.
   • He participated in Four Nations International Tournament at Germany and the team scored Bronze Medal.
   • He also participated in Four Nations Hockey Tournament at Lahore and the team win Silver Medal.
   • He participated in Men’s Hockey Asia Cup at Chennai 2007 and the team grabbed Gold Medal.
   • Sardara Singh in Hero Hockey World LeagueHe participated for India in Canada for the 7 game Test Series against the Canadian National Field Hockey Team

29. Varun Kumar | Hockey players of India

Kumar is a Himachal Pradesh native who was born in Dalhousie, District Chamba. When Kumar was in school, he started playing hockey for the first time. In the 2012 Junior National Championships, he competed for his home state of Punjab and did exceptionally well, gaining a call-up to the junior national squad. Kumar was sidelined for two years due to an injury sustained shortly after the competition, but after performing admirably in the 2014 Junior National Championships, he was called up to the junior national squad.

Varun Kumar Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 2017-2023
2. Appearances/Goals/CA: 172/22/85
3. Playing Position: Defender
4. Best Performance: In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Serial Number	Events & Years	Achievements
1	Asia Cup 2017, Dhaka	He was member of Indian team who clinched gold medal
2	Muscat Champions Trophy, 2018	He was member of Indian team who clinched silver medal
3	Dhaka Champions Trophy, 2021	He was member of Indian team who clinched bronze medal
4	Tokyo Olympics 2020	He was member of Indian team who clinched bronze medal

30. Gurjant Singh | Hockey players of India

Gurjant Singh, who won the Junior World Cup in 2016 and the Junior Asia Cup in 2015, was born on January 26, 1995, in Amritsar, Punjab. He was also a member of the Indian team that won the Junior World Cup in Lucknow. Gurjant stands out from other players because of his talent for scoring goals during the most crucial game moments. His outstanding junior-level play won him a berth at the senior level in 2017, and since then, this up-and-coming star hasn’t looked back.

Gujrant Singh Career Stats & Achievements:

1. Career Span: 2017-2023
2. Appearances/Goals: 168/19
3. Playing Position: Forward
4. Best Performance: In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Serial Number	Events & Years	Records and Achievements
1	Junior Hockey World Cup , 2016	He was part of team who won gold medal
2	13th Commonwealth Games 2018	India bagged 4th position in the marquee event
3	Debut Year for the national side  2017	He made his debut at senior level in the year 2017
4	Tokyo Olympics 2020	Won Bronze Medal
5	Arjuna Award 2021	Received the award for his contribution towards Indian hockey

Source: Wikipedia

These are some of the most famous hockey players of all time. Comment down below your favourite! 😀