Rupinder is here to stay, says Jugraj

Sudheendra Tripathi, TNN

MUMBAI: Indian hockey has an uncanny knack up throwing up quality drag-flickers. Jugraj Singh was the first and easily the finest exponent of this lethal weapon. Thereafter many, including Sandeep Singh, Len Aiyappa, Dhanajay Mahadik, Diwakar Ram, to name a few, followed. Unfortunately, not all of them were blessed with an all-round game. But if Jugraj is to be believed, India’s latest drag-flick sensation, Rupinder Pal Singh, is indeed an exception.

“I can assure you that this boy is going to stay,” Jugraj, India’s short corner coach, told the TOI.

“Our drag flickers have been found wanting when it comes to counting the overall skill level. But Rupinder is different. He is a quick learner and can be used in attack and in defense. His field game is way better than many,” he added.

Not for nothing is Rupinder in awe of Jugraj and indebted to the master too. “Whatever I have learnt is from him. He has shaped up my drag flick action,” Rupinder who, turned out for the Indian Overseas Bank, Chennai, in a losing cause against Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) in the Aga Khan hockey tournament at Bombay Gymkhana on Tuesday, said.

The Rupinder-Jugraj combine first came in contact during the junior India camp in Delhi in 2005.

“The moment I saw him, I knew he had some spark. He had great physique and looked very confident,” Jugraj said. “Se we began working and he came across as a very good student. He did what he was told with complete dedication. Now, his career graph can only go up.”

Rupinder made his international debut during the previous edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah tournament. But, being a green-horn, opportunities were few and far between. So, they went back to the drawing board and hard hours of training later emerged a much more efficient Rupinder.

It paid off when he got a national call-up due to his noticeable performances on the domestic circuit. Rupinder not only made the mark, but also created a huge impact. He was the only Indian player to be selected in the Aga Khan XI.

But Rupinder admits there is room for improvement. “Accha lagta hai. All this attention is very pleasing, but I know I can improve a few notches more. But I am pretty confident about my drag-flicks,” he said.

For a small-town boy from Faridkot, Rupinder sure has come a long way.

Results: QF: Indian Oil 4 (Deepak Thakur 21, 67, 69, Hamza Mujthaba 46) beat Karnataka XI 3 (Deepak M R 15 (PS), Muthana PR 34, Nitin Thimmaiah 63); Bharat Petroleum 5 (Birendra Lakra 13, Gurpreet Singh 42, Jarnail Singh 58, 59, Amar Aiyama 70) beat IOB, Chennai 0.