A tight-rope walk by the selectors

S. Thyagarajan

Chennai: With the choice limited to 21 and complexities confronting the administration multiplying by the hour, the hockey selection committee was compelled to do a tight rope walking while picking up the squad for the World Cup.

So, there was little left for a proper evaluation to the players’ potential than taking the easiest mode of playing safe by retaining all those in the camp.

Ironically, time appears to have been spent on identifying the leader for the team. Not surprisingly, this led to a high intensity drama.

Unfathomable

It is unfathomable why the issue of captaincy is coming into such sharp focus long after the funny situation we witnessed in 1968 when two captains for one team led to chaos and eventual disaster in Mexico. In more ways than one, the job of a hockey captain is limited to spinning the coin, or calling the correct side of it, exchanging pennants and receiving the trophy in case of victory. It is ceremonial. The real control rests with the coach in important areas such as strategy and substitutions.

Retaining Rajpal Singh is logical. After all, he is credited with leading the team to a podium finish in the recent Champions Challenge at Salta (Argentina).

Controversy

The captaincy controversy was needlessly projected when Brasa, mooted the idea of rotating the role of the leader for each match during the tour of Canada to ease the pressure on Sandeep Singh. But to carry on this concept in a world championship sounds outlandish.

Laughable however is the reported move to name a handful of vice-captains. Whoever shot it down deserves commendation.

Experience obviously has been the guiding element. The majority in the team has been exposed to high intensity matches in Europe, Argentina and Canada, apart from in tournaments like Azlan Shah, Asia Cup and Champions Challenge. Barring a handful, all have figured more than 100 internationals.

It is sad that the seasoned Baljit Singh will be missed at the goal. Neither Adrian nor Sreejesh can be equated with Baljit, who is recovering from a nasty eye injury.

While Brasa’s trump card is Mahadik in penalty corners and in defence, Sandeep and Diwakar Ram must prove their competence in drag flicks. Gurbaj, Sardara, Halappa and Vikram have loads of expertise to lend a measure of solidity to the mid-field.

The frontline presents a happy picture, projecting the twin element of depth and diversity. Tushar, Shivendra, Rajpal, Deepak and Prabhjot are possibly the best force that one can think of in the current circumstances. Minus Rajpal, the three others, Tushar, Deepak and Prabhjot have more than 200 international appearances.

What emerges as a point of concern, relates to the unity and commitment of the players for the huge job of restoring national identity. Reports of a schism within the team continue to pour. Even if it does exist, it is time the players decimate it and focus on the event.

A commendable show will trigger the flow of spontaneous rewards in an unprecedented scale for everyone. Passion to win is the key.