Why on earth we need an annual India-Pakistan series?

Pakistan finished last at the last World Cup. India did the same two years later in another of big stage, at the London Olympics. At the home World Cup, two years ago, where Pakistan ended with wooden spoon, India posted only one victory in seven games — and it was against Pakistan!

Do these two countries, who ended last in the two of previous prestigious FIH Tournaments, need to play regularly, and if so for what?

India-Pakistan rivalry, artistry and such heightened superlatives have no relevance nowadays. It is futile to reason out, if at all, the first two sentences of this article are suffice.

Only the other day we were told Hockey India, who govern hockey in India, will be appointing a High Performance Manager. If so, how can administrators decide a Series without taking into account the impending appointment and his technical feedback.

The decision to hold the Series is therefore unscientific. No way is it going to help Indian hockey in its long term interests, renewed pursuit of betterment. This is true of Pakistan too.
India-Pak series is totally unwanted entity in today’s modern hockey. Neither’s style attach any winnability credentials today. These two nations are, strictly speaking, whipping boys of hockey powers.

I saw an India-Pakistan series being held against empty stands in 1999. Things slightly improved midway through the last decade.

People at large is no longer interested in these two nations, perennial losers, play out an academic series.

FIH may need India-Pak component to sell their events such as forthcoming Champions Trophy, and get good television audience, and sound NRI turn out on the stands. This is FIH’s requirement, not of India’s.

Somehow the adminos on both sides of border are enourmed by the very talk of India-Pakistan Series. It often helps them to manage crisis.

Pakistan Hockey Federation, in particular, is struggling to ward off the public – or former Olympians ? – fury. It helps them to divert attention. They also have a problem of home international matches though once China team visited them. For PHF, therefore, a series against India is a double delight.

What of India?

I don’t think any purpose will be served by the proposed Series. HI need to wait for their High Performance Manager’s feedback before embarking upon wasteful but monetarily gainful exercise.

on macro level too, the concept of test series do not stand out against the oncoming Hockey India League and popularly held World Hockey Series.

Even today, WSH held a meeting in Delhi, and most Pakistan players are expected to figure in the second WSH.

With the direct support of PHF, many Pakistan stars will also play in the HIL.

So, India-Pak series is a third avenue, It is highly doubtful it will evoke any interests, as WSH and HI would have seen enough Pakistani skills.