Hockey India League: Harmanpreet Singh shines on Dabang Mumbai debut

All of a sudden the crowd found its voice again. Mumbai had salvaged a point, ensuring they do not get off to a losing start.

Eighteen-year-old Harmanpreet’s vision had actually served him well throughout the entire game. He was at the centre of a Mumbai defence that was put under relentless pressure by a powerful Punjab attack. His interceptions were impeccable, as was his tackling. And just as he did in the final minute of play, his passes were exceptional.

He had already set the tone for what would reflect in his own game before the match. Warm-up sessions involved drag-flicks. Tom Boon had a go, but his shots were wayward. Floris Evers too tried his luck, but barely tested Mumbai custodian David Harte. Harmanpreet, who came into the limelight after being named man-of-the-tournament at junior India’s victorious Sultan of Johor Cup campaign, scoring seven of his nine goals through penalty corners, found the back of the net with all his shots.

And it was almost logical that he would break the deadlock by scoring his team’s first goal with a thunderous drag-flick that outwitted FIH goalkeeper of the year Jaap Stockmann.

Trailing by a goal, the Punjab team increased the pressure. But on the few occasions that they did breach Harmanpreet, Harte would see off the threat. They equalised in the second minute of the third quarter through skipper Jamie Dwyer, who shot from a tight angle to beat the Irish custodian. Chinglensana then scored his first of the match to put the home side ahead only for Sandeep’s penalty stroke to equalise.