Sandeep Singh Biography: Sandeep Singh is a former captain of the Indian men’s hockey team and one of India’s best-known drag-flickers. Born on 27 February 1986 in Shahabad Markanda, Haryana, he survived an accidental gunshot in 2006 and returned to lead India to the 2009 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup title. He is married to Harjinder Kaur, a former India hockey probable.
Many people know his story through the 2018 film “Soorma”. After hockey, he served in the Haryana Police as a DSP, was elected MLA from Pehowa in 2019 and became Haryana’s sports minister. Here is a look at his early life, family, career, records and later life.
Sandeep Singh Early Life
Sandeep Singh was born in Shahabad Markanda, near Kurukshetra in Haryana. His parents are Gurucharan Singh Saini and Daljeet Kaur Saini. He studied at Shivalik Public School, Mohali.
As a child, Sandeep was not keen on sport, and his family did not expect him to become an athlete. His elder brother Bikramjeet Singh was the first in the family to take up hockey. Seeing his brother do well inspired Sandeep to start playing too.
Sandeep soon joined his brother at the academy for hockey training. His progress as a defender and penalty-corner specialist led to his selection for India’s junior and then senior teams.
Sandeep Singh Wife and Personal Life
Sandeep Singh’s wife is Harjinder Kaur, who was herself a hockey player and an India probable. She supported him during the hardest period of his life and gave up her own hockey career after their marriage.
Harjinder stood by Sandeep while he was in rehabilitation after the 2006 shooting. The couple have a son.
Harjinder Kaur grew up in a village that had few facilities for sport or higher education.
Her mother supported her and moved with her to a city in Punjab so that she could train. She then began her undergraduate studies at Panjab University.
Harjinder Kaur and Sandeep Singh love story
Harjinder was making her mark in women’s hockey at the same time as Sandeep was rising in the men’s team, and the two met through the sport.
In 2006, Sandeep was selected for the Hockey World Cup in Germany, but he was accidentally shot while travelling by train to join the team. Harjinder stayed by his side through his long recovery. After he returned to the Indian team, the two got married, and Harjinder stepped away from hockey to focus on their family.
- Professional Life
Sandeep made his senior India debut in January 2004 at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Kuala Lumpur. In April 2004, he helped India win the Junior Asia Cup in Karachi and was the top scorer with 16 goals. Later that year, he was part of India’s squad at the Athens Olympics, where India finished seventh.
- The accident which changed his life
On 22 August 2006, while he was in good form, Sandeep was accidentally shot on the Kalka Shatabdi Express. He was on his way to join the national team, which was due to leave for the World Cup in Germany two days later. Sandeep was almost paralysed and used a wheelchair for about a year, and doctors doubted that he would play again.
His first treatment was at PGIMER Chandigarh, and he later went abroad for rehabilitation. Sandeep has thanked the hockey federation and the Haryana government for their support during his treatment.
- Comeback as a captain
Sandeep kept working on his fitness and skills and returned to the Indian team at the 2008 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, where he scored 8 goals. He was made captain of the Indian team in January 2009. That year India won the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, beating Malaysia in the final and ending a 13-year wait for the title. Sandeep was the top scorer and was named Man of the Tournament. Rajpal Singh took over the captaincy in 2010.
In 2010, he won a silver medal with India at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi and a bronze medal at the Asian Games in Guangzhou, where he was the top scorer with 11 goals. In early 2012, he scored 16 goals at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Delhi, including five in the 9-1 final win over France, which sent India to the London Olympics. India had missed the 2008 Games, and finished 12th in London.
- The style
Sandeep was among the fastest drag-flickers in the world, with a flick speed of around 145 km/h. His penalty-corner skill earned him the nickname “Flicker Singh”.
- After Playing
After his playing days, Sandeep wanted to help young players. He worked as a technical and consulting adviser to “Collectives for Integrated Livelihoods”, and was associated with Tata Trusts on a programme to help young hockey players.
He has also been involved in efforts to improve hockey infrastructure with the support of government and private organisations.
Sandeep Singh in Politics
In the 2019 Haryana Assembly election, Sandeep Singh won the Pehowa seat in Kurukshetra district for the BJP. He polled 42,613 votes and beat Mandeep Singh Chatha of the Congress by 5,314 votes. He was the first Olympian from Haryana to enter the state assembly. He was then made Haryana’s sports minister.
In December 2022, a junior athletics coach accused him of sexual harassment. Chandigarh Police registered a case, and on 1 January 2023 he gave up the sports portfolio. He has denied the allegation and says he was falsely implicated.
On 29 July 2024, a Chandigarh court framed charges against him in the case, including molestation and criminal intimidation, and rejected his plea for discharge. In the 2024 Haryana Assembly election, the BJP did not field him from Pehowa; it chose Jai Bhagwan Sharma, who lost to Congress candidate Mandeep Chatha.
In May 2026, a Chandigarh court rejected a prosecution request to add an attempt-to-rape charge and move the case to a sessions court. The trial on the charges framed in 2024 was still going on, with no verdict reported, as of 2026.
Facts about Sandeep Singh
- Sandeep is a penalty corner specialist, and this skill earned him the name “Flicker Singh”.
- He holds the rank of DSP in the Haryana Police.
- By February 2010, he had played 147 matches for India and scored 110 goals.
- He played club hockey in England for Havant Hockey Club in 2014.
- He was a judge on the MTV India show “Roadies: Real Heroes”.
- He has the Olympic rings tattooed on his right hand.
- He has been a brand ambassador for the nutrition brand “Fast&Up”.
Life from Real to Reel
The film “Soorma”, based on Sandeep Singh’s life, was released on 13 July 2018. It was directed by Shaad Ali, and Diljit Dosanjh played Sandeep. The film showed his injury, recovery and return to the Indian team.
League teams
Sandeep Singh played in the Hockey India League for three teams. Mumbai Magicians bought him for US$64,400 in 2013, against a base price of US$27,800, and he was the top scorer that season with 11 goals in 12 games. He played for Punjab Warriors in 2014 and 2015, and Ranchi Rays signed him for US$81,000 in 2016.
- Mumbai Magicians (2013)
- Punjab Warriors (2014-2015)
- Ranchi Rays (2016)
- Havant Hockey Club (England, 2014)
Honours
Arjuna Award, 2010
Man of the Tournament, Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, 2009
Sandeep Singh Records
Junior Asia Cup, 2004 (top scorer, 16 goals)
Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, 2009 (top scorer)
Asian Games, 2010 (top scorer, 11 goals)
Olympic qualifying tournament, 2012 (16 goals)
Hockey India League, 2013 (top scorer, 11 goals)
Sandeep Singh Achievements
- Gold medal at the Junior Asia Cup in Karachi in 2004
- Bronze medal at the Champions Challenge in Belgium in 2007
- Gold medal at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia in 2009
- Silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010
- Bronze medal at the Asian Games in Guangzhou in 2010
Sandeep Singh Personal Information
Full Name: Sandeep Singh Saini
Date of Birth: 27 February 1986
Hometown: Shahabad Markanda, Haryana
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Religion: Sikhism
Playing position: Fullback (drag-flicker)
Wife: Harjinder Kaur
Brother: Bikramjeet Singh (hockey player)
Education
Highest Qualification: Graduation
School: Shivalik Public School, Mohali
Favourite Celebrities
Actor: Shah Rukh Khan
Sportsman: Dhanraj Pillay
Hobbies: Watching movies and relaxing
Favourite Food: Pasta and Salads
Favourite Colour: Sky Blue
Sandeep Singh Earnings
Sandeep Singh’s net worth has not been published by any reliable source. His best-known reported earnings from hockey are his Hockey India League contracts: US$64,400 from Mumbai Magicians in 2013 and US$81,000 from Ranchi Rays in 2016.
Social Media Profiles
Sandeep Singh Twitter (X) – @flickersingh
Sandeep Singh Instagram – sandeep_rebirth
Frequently asked questions
Who is Sandeep Singh’s wife?
Sandeep Singh’s wife is Harjinder Kaur. She was a hockey player and an India probable, and she gave up her own hockey career after their marriage.
What is the name of hockey player Sandeep Singh’s wife?
Her name is Harjinder Kaur. She stood by Sandeep during his rehabilitation after the 2006 shooting.
Was Sandeep Singh’s wife also a hockey player?
Yes. Harjinder Kaur was a hockey player and an India probable before she stepped away from the sport to focus on their family.
Does Sandeep Singh have children?
Yes. Sandeep Singh and Harjinder Kaur have a son.
When was Sandeep Singh born?
Sandeep Singh was born on 27 February 1986 in Shahabad Markanda, near Kurukshetra in Haryana.
What happened to Sandeep Singh in 2006?
On 22 August 2006, he was accidentally shot on the Kalka Shatabdi Express while travelling to join the team for the World Cup in Germany. He was almost paralysed and used a wheelchair for about a year.
Why is Sandeep Singh called Flicker Singh?
He was one of the fastest drag-flickers in the world, with a flick speed of around 145 km/h. His penalty-corner skill earned him the nickname Flicker Singh.
Was Sandeep Singh captain of the Indian hockey team?
Yes. He was made captain in January 2009 and led India to the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup title that year, ending a 13-year wait.
Which film is based on Sandeep Singh’s life?
The 2018 film Soorma is based on his life. It was directed by Shaad Ali, and Diljit Dosanjh played Sandeep.
Is Sandeep Singh still an MLA?
No. He won Pehowa for the BJP in 2019, but the party did not field him there in 2024, and the seat was won by Congress candidate Mandeep Chatha.
