New Delhi, Feb 19 : India star defender and drag flicker Harmanpreet Singh Today  said it was the Covid-19 lockdownthat helped the team prepare for the Olympics last year. Hamanpreet’s clutch performances for the team not only played a vital role in ensuring India’s bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, but also saw the 26-year-old earn the title of FIH Men’s Player of the Year 2021 award. In the Hockey India podcast ‘Hockey Te Charcha’, Harmanpreet said, “Our team spent a lot of time together in lockdown last year before the Olympics. “It was a difficult situation because we were not able to visit home in the initial months as everything came to a stanstill, but facing that period of difficulty together — kind of amalgamated us and prepared us for the challenges of the future. “Even after trailing 3-1 against a team like Germany in the bronze medal match, it was our collective mindset in difficult situations which got us over the line eventually.” Speaking about his role as Vice Captain, the 26-year-old said, “I really enjoy this additional responsibility of being Vice Captain. It has never felt like an added pressure because everyone in the team is able to communicate openly with each other. “Manpreet and other senior players like Sree bhai (PR Sreejesh) also take responsibility to guide the team in training and match situations, so it is a collective effort on the part of the whole team to grow together.” Another aspect of the game that Harmanpreet has mastered is converting his penalty corners. One of the most feared drag flickers in the world, the Punjab-based defender spoke about how he acquired the skill. “I was training in Ludhiana at the time when my coaches identified me as a potential drag flicker, but it was in the Surjit Hockey Academy in Jalandhar that I received proper training for the first time ever in taking penalty corners,” he said. “I use to spend a lot of time individually before and after team practice hours to improve my drag flicks. “I also had guidance from senior players in the academy. Then, I came into the national team, I saw players like Sardara Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh work on their game. Learning from them helped me improve my skills,” he said. (UNI)