Sportskeeda's Top 10 Indian sportsmen of the year 2017

#9 Manpreet Singh (hockey)

Manpreet Singh was awarded the captain's armband this year

2017 has been a year of promise for Indian hockey, that began on a disappointing note at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, where the team had to settle for a third-place finish after being stunned by Malaysia in the round robin phase.

The tournament saw goalkeeper and skipper PR Sreejesh suffer a long-term injury and in his place, donning the armband was midfielder Manpreet Singh, who has led the side since and recorded strong finishes in key tournaments.

Under his leadership, the Indian side finished an unimpressive sixth at the Hockey World League Semifinal in London with coach Roelant Oltmans at the helm. However, the Dutchman was then replaced by Sjoerd Marijne, who took the team to two impressive results at the Asia Cup, where the Men in Blue won gold and the Hockey World League final, which saw the Indian team finish in third place.

The team has adopted a faster and more physical brand of hockey, with 25-year-old Manpreet at the centre of it all. Along with his leadership qualities, his endless reserves of stamina and supreme passing and anticipation make the team tick and with 2018 being a packed year ahead, he will be looking to lead his side to further glory.