ALMOST exactly one year ago, the Indian hockey fraternity was buzzing with enthusiasm. After all India had recorded their best ever win against Australia, and everything seemed well on course in India’s quest ‘to regain lost glory’ on the international stage. But today as the Indian team returns from the very same tournament of this year, the mood among the discerning of the hockey community in the country is far from enthusiastic. The resplendent smiles have been replaced by knotted eyebrows of concern.

Concerned every hockey lover in the country is not for the manner in which the Senior team seems to have capitulated against lowly opposition. “It is after all an experimental team” can be a self-consoling answer for the defeats, but the matter that calls for more serious concern is the sheer shortage of goals. Chief coach Rajinder Singh’s words, belief and thoughts that “Aggressive hockey is the best hockey” have failed to materialise into action as the Indian team returns from Australia having wasted what probably is their best opportunity to plug the loopholes for a solid combination at the Olympics. A meagre 16 goals from eight outings, against 22 conceded, is far from signs of an effective forward-line, which it is otherwise.

There can’t be two opinions that India possess _ in Gagan Ajit Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Arjun Halappa and Deepak Thakur (with Sandeep Michael and Tushar Khandekar, currently in Pakistan spearheading the Junior team, as probable substitutions) _ one of the most potent striker combo in world hockey. And fewer can be the doubts about the talent, temperament and techniques of the midfield comprising Ignace Tirkey, Bimal Lakra, Vikram Pillai and Viren Rasquinha.

But little success can the strikers find inside the striking circle, if the transfer of the ball from the midfield, albeit luminous, does not happen at the right time in the right place. And for that to happen the Indian line-up needs to comprise two schemers, who are speedy, sensible and skillful all put together.
Does the speed-sense-skill combination in one player sound a little too imaginative. The answer is a loud and simple: NO.

For absent from this tour of Australia are two players, who incidentally played pivotal roles in India’s success last year. Yes, I’m talking about the Dashing Duo Dhanraj Pillay and Baljit Singh Dhillon

All the strikers in the Indian line-up can convert most of the chances that come their way, but you need a Dhanraj or a Dhillon to create those chances. All the midfielders in the National team are capable of forming a fantastic stream of second-line attack, but you need a Dhanraj or a Dhillon to translate their efficiency into goal-bound effect.

The tip of the finger is surely burnt with the experiments. It’s time to reign in the right combination (read including Dhanraj and Dhillon) before the hand is burnt! _ smageshwaran@hotmail.com

Courtesy, Vijay Times, Bangalore