Hockey India’s decision to drop three players, including veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh, from the probable list for the upcoming FIH Pro League season stemmed from disciplinary issues during the team’s tour of South Africa in December.
Sources said there was a serious case of indiscipline during the tour after which Manpreet, Dilpreet Singh and wicketkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak were dropped from the probable list.
India toured South Africa for a three-Test series from 2–16 December, losing the series 2–0, with the third match ending in a draw.
“A serious case of indiscipline came to light during the South African tour, which also involved a fourth player, whose name has not been released. The players later apologized for giving their teammate a banned substance, but the decision to exclude them from the upcoming camp was announced during a team meeting,” a team source said.
Hockey India announced the probables list on Thursday, with former captain Manpreet’s absence raising eyebrows.
The Pro League season will begin next month in Rourkela.
Manpreet co-captained Ranchi Royals in the Hockey India League final and his performance in the tournament was commendable.
Manpreet, 33, a member of two Olympic bronze medal teams, did not make the probables list for the camp (February 1-7) for the first time in 15 years.
He is now just one match away from becoming 412 matches joint-highest capped by an Indian player, a record currently held by the acting president of Hockey India Dilip Tirkey.
The Indian leg of the FIH Pro League is scheduled from February 10 to 15 in Rourkela. India will face Argentina in their opening match on February 11.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
January 30, 2026
