Glamour and stardom are never associated with midfielders in hockey. Perhaps, Ric Charlesworth was an exception. In the past eight years or so, one man has gone about his role as a half-back in the Indian team and, occasionally, a playmaker, with the quiet efficiency of a thoroughbred professional. Now visible, now not. But then, for commitment and dedication, Baljit Singh Saini has been second to none.
It is the lot of the half-backs in hockey that they are expected to shoulder a dual burden of defending as well as lending a hand to the forwards. Unfortunately, their errors are highlighted far more than their good deeds, but Saini, at 28, has come to terms with this imbalance.
In these days of ‘total hockey’ where the roles are flexible and constantly changing in tune with the trend of the game, Saini has proved himself to be a master. “I did start off as a right half-back in 1995, but when Cedric D’Souza took over as a coach, I moved up to inside-right position where I played during the 1996 Olympics and the ’95 SAF Games,” he says.
In essence, Saini has matured into a fine utility player whose potential, I feel, has not yet been fully utilised. However, much to the good of the Indian team, Saini has never hesitated to take the initiative by way of crafting moves even if it meant straying from his position. In the bargain, the team has benefitted a great deal by his innovativeness.
“In fact, back in 1995, during the SAF Games final against Pakistan in Chennai, I enjoyed my role at inside-right and had a hand in four of the five goals that we scored. To date, that game remains my best ever memory as we won 5-2,” he reveals.
Apart from manning the crucial playmaking position, Saini was entrusted to mark the legendary Shahbaz Ahmed who was at the heights of his prowess at that time. “I thought I did a good job in blocking Shahbaz and it was indeed a wonderful experience,” he says.
It was in 1995 that Saini, born and raised in Kolkata, made his debut for the Indian senior team at the Indira Gandhi tournament in New Delhi. Since then, he has been an automatic choice that, given the vicissitudes of our National selectors, is a great achievement in itself.
Saini had an early initiation to hockey when he was the ball-boy for a Test match in Kolkata. It was then quite natural for him to take to the sport. Having made his debut for Bengal at the 1993 Nationals, Saini caught the eye of the discerning with his all-round performance. He was quick to seize the chance when given a berth in the National team for the Indira Gandhi tournament, two years later.
His early days in hockey were spent with Divnain Singh, undoubtedly, one of the most committed coaches in the country. Thus, it was Divnain who polished the rough edges in Saini’s game and thereafter, the lad improved by leaps and bounds, to become a vital cog in the Indian team’s wheel.
Perhaps, Saini has never received due recognition for the contribution that he has made to the Indian team. Of course, he did receive the Arjuna Award for 2000, but that apart, his value to the side is still to be appreciated. “It does not really worry me. So long as the team keeps winning, I am quite happy. But then, I always give it everything when I step on to the field, and the best way to go about is to let my stick do the talking,” says a reflective Saini.
It spoke well for his character that he bounced back from a seemingly career-threatening heel injury soon after his return from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. “The injury occurred when we were training for the Champions Trophy in Chennai. I then had to withdraw from the tournament,” he recalls.
So serious was his injury that it was thought he would never make it back to the team. In Bangalore at that time, Saini, thanks to a few well-wishers, got himself treated at the HOSMAT hospital where Dr Chandy guided him back to health.
NOTE: Rest in the Book
Anand Philar is one of the leading hockey writers in India, having covered the sport at all levels, including the World Cup and the Olympics, since 1980, for Deccan Herald, The Indian Express, where he was the Sports Editor, and as a freelance journalist. He was also specially commissioned by the Sydney Olympics Games Organising Committee to contribute articles on hockey and tennis for the official handbooks brought out to commemorate the 2000 Olympic Games. Presently, he heads AP Media Communications, a Media consultancy firm launched by him. Contact: apmediacom@yahoo.com