In a crucial World Cup (in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 14 to 30) and Asian Games (in Japan from September 19 to October 4) year, where teams and players will be closely guarding their strategies, Indian hockey’s most lethal weapon, skipper and star drag flicker Harmanpreet Singh is busy excelling in the Hockey India League.

Harmanpreet and his drag flicks have always been closely watched by opposition teams which is why his strike rate in international hockey is not as high as it used to be a few years ago, particularly against the top teams as they have planned their penalty corner defences to counter his flicks.