Bowled over by a fan

Manpreet Singh, just 25, has already led the Indian national hockey team to Asian glory. The Jalandhar-born athlete, however, says his first love is football.

BENGALURU - KARNATAKA - 07/11/2017 : Manpreet Singh, captain of the Indian men's hockey team, during the National camp at the Sports Authority of India (SAI south centre), in Bengaluru on November 07, 2017. Photo: K. Murali Kumar

What other sport do you love playing?

Football.

If not a hockey player, then what?

Farming.

Most memorable moment in sport

When we won the Asian Games in 2014.

Worst moment in sport

When we lost the Junior World Cup in 2013. I was the captain.

Your heroes in sport

Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham.

A sports event you will pay to watch

Football, any Real Madrid match.

Who would you like to dine with?

Cristiano Ronaldo.

Favourite holiday spot

Paris.

Advice to youngsters

Work hard.

Pet name

Sam

Your constant companions

Hockey sticks, teeth guard and a can of Red Bull.

The craziest thing you have ever done

I am a prankster; I always play crazy pranks on my team-mates.

One bad habit you want to get rid of

My temper. I am working on overcoming this.

What’s your worst nightmare?

It was losing the Olympics quarterfinals in 2016.

Funniest fan mail/proposal

I met my fiancé in Malaysia when she came to take my autograph after a match.

Favourite movie

Chak De India.

Favourite song

Diljit’s ‘Do You Know’.

Favourite actor

Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan.