As a 20-year-old fresh-faced youngster, Manpreet Singh was still earning his national spurs when he travelled for the London Olympics in 2012. It was one of the most forgettable outings for the Indian hockey team, a culmination of decades of middling performances and, in many ways, more humiliating than not qualifying four years earlier.From that baptism by fire to captaining the national team to its first Olympic medal in 41 years at Tokyo, to becoming the first Indian recipient of the FIH Player of the Year award (2019), to becoming the most-capped Indian hockey player with 413 outings – fifth overall and the only one active – Manpreet’s journey has mirrored Indian hockey’s evolvement over the last 15 years. The 33-year-old, still one of the fittest players in the Indian dressing room and the world, is hungry for more.Excerpts from an interview:What does this mark mean to you?It’s a very proud moment. It’s a huge honour to play for your country for so long. I have always wanted to give my 100 per cent every time I wear the India jersey and I have worked hard for it. Staying fit, be conscious of what to eat or not, lots of sacrifices. Staying away from family for months, missing out on all the major moments in my kids’ lives, missing them – when they started walking, talking, everything I have missed. There have been lots of ups and downs but when you finally achieve something, reach a certain point, then all the sacrifices feel worth it and they make the result that much sweeter.You are also the senior-most player in the side and a midfielder, both roles bringing added responsibility. Does this milestone change anything and does it matter as a player?I don’t think so. Anyone who knows me, also knows the kind of person I am and the number of caps or captain’s band or anything else doesn’t matter. It is a big honour, playing 413 matches for the country over 15 years, and I am proud of it but it doesn’t change anything on field, you still have to go out there and perform. I have always believed in working as a team. As a senior, it’s my responsibility to lift a youngster if he makes a mistake or is not feeling confident, help him come back to form.My focus has always been on how to improve as a team and I will continue doing that. 413 matches is huge, you have to maintain your fitness and motivation for so long, you need the support of your entire team, the coaching staff, the federation over the years. It doesn’t mean I stop listening to others because I have played for so long.