Invite Jarnail Singh (Jersey No.5) to the national camp

One image that would etch in the memories of those who watched the Saturday semifinals of the ongoing Chief Minister Cup will undoubtedly be the athletic dive of Jarnail Singh, which did not get a goal for his side, but prevented one from being scored.

Air India got a crucial penalty corner in the late second half — and scoring from the set piece was different in the tournament, as three men striker-three men defence was in experiment there — and was well on course to consolidate the lead from 3-2 to 4-2, but it was not to be. Hail the lad Jarnail for this.

After the ball was stopped at the dotted lines, veteran Samir Dad brought it to the top of the circle and then unleashed whiplash of a shot at goal. Almost the similar fashion he scored the first goal in the first half. Even as almost everyone thought the ball has found the home, the wonder kid did the unbelievable. Standing midway in the circle, dived to his right in a spurt of moment, applied stick dot on the flight of the lightening shot. The ball had been deflected from its goal bound flight, his action taking place on the air all the while. This is beautiful metamorphism of athleticism and acrobatics.

Thankfully, DD Sports cameraman could capture the sequence in detail – DD’s broadcast quality has certainly improved otherwise also – and we could cherish the moment.

This was not run of the mill stuff.

Jarnail’s that stopped the goal in a great fashion, reminded of Jugraj’s 2002 Cologne Champions Trophy nicety and daredevilry.

This image of Jarnail doing the impossible will indelibly remain etched in the mind for long.

I have not seen the player in action, and not have his basic stats, even age. However one cannot escape from spotting huge talent in him. Whatever his age, whatever his present status, he is worth a try at top level. We lost many such talents for not holding the Nationals.

Players of such ability are the need of the hour, rare, precious for future. We only hope Jarnail Singh, if possible some others as well, are invited to the camp and let the chief coach Jose Brasa have a look at him.

The way Army XI played today in the semifinal is reminiscent of days of yore, when the likes of Shankar Laxman, Hari Pal Kaushik, Harcharan Singh, MP Ganesh, Charles Cornelius dazzled for the Services in different spells.

The concept of Army XI has been a flop, which robbed its various splinter units of charm and competitive spirit. In the bleak situation, this army team playing so well is a welcome sign. Some from the team, my choice is Jarnail Singh, deserves to be in the natinal side, at the out a platform for trial.