Hockey World Cup 2018: 5 standout players for India in the pool stages

#1 Harmanpreet Singh

The Indians need Harmanpreet to fire in the knockouts

The 22-year old from Amritsar is ice-cool, tidy, and solid near the back line but fiery and lethal as ever in the striking circle as he sends in the searing drag-flicks which are powerful enough to test the best goalkeepers and runners in the business.

At Bhubaneswar, Harmanpreet Singh is also seen roving deep into opposition territory as he covers ground rapidly and aids the men up front in order to create a more effective high press.

The drag-flicker scored a stunner in the opening quarter against Canada which allowed the Indians to settle into the match.

Harmanpreet also took the flick which resulted in a deflection that allowed Mandeep to score against South Africa - and has been the mainstay of the Indian defence who have conceded just three goals thus far.

As far as the PCs are concerned, one would assume that a lot more is yet to come as the Indians have no doubt saved the best for the knockouts, but Harmanpreet's overall role extends well beyond that of a drag-flicker - and Harendra will expect the lad from Amritsar to be at his very best against the Netherlands - and perhaps beyond.