WSH draft throws up surprises

The player draft drawn by the World Series Hockey (WSH) to fill the eight teams threw up some surprises on Monday. Dhanraj Pillay, the oldest player in the lot making a comeback at 43, landed with the Karnataka Lions, the team from Bangalore, instead of Pune Strykers – the team from his birthplace. Viren Rasquinha, the other back-from-retirement player, will represent the yet-to-be named Mumbai franchise.

In all, 200 players contracted with WSH were divided into three pools (seniors, juniors and local players) and were picked by the franchises over 24 rounds. Separate rounds were conducted for the selection of junior and local players.

Out-of-favour forward Prabhjot Singh, who was dropped after deserting the camp to attend the WSH launch in Mumbai in July, had no regrets over putting his career on line.

He believed WSH would be the perfect platform for players like him attempting a comeback to the India fold. “It would also be an opportunity for juniors. The WSH will provide good match practice to India players ahead of the Olympic qualifiers in February,” said the striker.