HIL will help Indian players improve: Sardar Singh

By Asheem Mukerji, TNN

LUCKNOW: He is the heart of the Indian hockey team, the playmaker who is a champion in feeding forwards, breaking counter-attacks and defending stoutly when the chips are down. Rated among the top centre-halves of the world, Sardar Singh is the pivot around which the Indian team revolves.

Nothing seemed to work for India at the London Olympics but the young team is trying hard to make the world take notice once again. The fourth-place finish in the Champions Trophy in Melbourne recently was a big step in that direction. Soon after that, a close battle in the final against Pakistan in the Asian Champions Trophy in Doha added to the growing self-belief.

Sardar credits the national coach Michael Nobbs for the turnaround. He feels the Aussie coach’s insistence on making the team play aggressive Indian style of hockey has helped a lot.

In a telephonic interview to TOI, Sardar said that hadn’t it been for some poor umpiring, India would have put it across their traditional rivals in the final in Doha. “Both the teams played attractive, attacking hockey but umpires disallowed a penalty stroke which hurt us in the end. There was no review system and we lost the final against a side we had beaten in the league.”

At the moment, the 26-year-old is busy preparing for the Hockey India League, which starts from January 14.

Sardar, who became the highest-paid marquee player at the HIL auction, said: “The league will definitely help our players improve. They will get good exposure against the best international players. The HIL is also likely to make the game more popular in the country. Another important point is that the players will earn good money which will provide them financial security.”

Talking about the upcoming matches, Sardar, who represents Delhi Waveriders, said all five teams are evenly balanced. “You can’t take any side lightly. The team that makes lesser mistakes is bound to win.”

He also thinks that fitness will play a major factor as back-to-back matches will be played.

Talking about himself, the Arjuna Awardee is a touch disappointed at not being named the FIH World Player of the Year in 2012. “It’s an honour to be nominated as one of the five best players in the world, but not getting the award hurts a little. I can assure you it will give me the impetus to work harder this year.”

Rivals better watch out.