Goal keeping is a thankless job, it is said. Tens of goals a goalkeeper saves do not count much but even a single goal that he concedes demolishes all the good work done by him under the bar. Largely, a goalie’s efforts go unnoticed and un-rewarded. But the fact of the matter is that success cannot come without a competent goalie under the bar. More so in the modern hockey where off-side has been off-loaded from the rule book, and hit and run has become the hallmark and coaches constantly innovate variations in set piece drills to bemuse the defense. Secret of success, for any team, therefore, depends on the solidity of the goalkeeper, who is definitely the last line of defence. Not for nothing hockey governing bodies world over put in that extra bit efforts to spot, nurture and groom goal keepers — always on top priority.
But, India faced a big dilemma after the time-tested goalkeeper duo of Ashish Ballal and A.B. Subbaiah were all of a sudden sacked in the late 1998. There was no supply line to fall back. Half a dozen colts like Jagdish Ponnappa, B.C. Poonacha, R.V.S. Prasad and a couple of veterans (Jude Menezes, 28 and Alloysius Edwards, 29) were tried for their replacement but with mixed results. The Asia Cup that was held in November 1999 turned out to be the last nail in the coffin. India finished third, conceding as many as five goals in the semifinals against South Korea. Knowledgeables agreed poor goalkeeping was one of the reasons behind the dismal show. That the Olympics was just six months away set the alarm bells ringing.
Meanwhile Jude Menezes and Alloysius Edwards seemed to have cemented their place in the team. At least it was what was popularly believed till then. So much so when the IHF sent a 22-member contingent to Australia on August 17, 2000 for practice, a month before the actual commencement of the Olympics, their selection was passed off as customary. But the four IHF officials, who flew to Mulliwanba in Brisbane where the team was practicing in a serene but secluded surroundings, had other ideas. With open minds, they watched the trials. Then came the news of the day — Alloysius replaced by greenhorn Devesh Chauhan. Though Alloysius’ name figured in the coach’s list, it was struck off by the IHF chief K.P.S. Gill, as Alloysius conceded four goals in the trials which in Gill’s view could have been saved. This was a bold move from the part of the IHF, but was not well received back home. Perhaps infuriated, coach V. Baskaran did not play Devesh even for a single match at the Olympics. But young Devesh would not have to wait long for his turn. His days came calling soon. At Hobart in 2001, to be specific.
India was lucky to have Devesh Chauhan as its custodian of the bar at Hobart Junior World Cup. His role has been substantial in India’s trophy triumph there. He was consistent in his form throughout the tournament and, significantly, showed that extra bit of excellence whenever the goings got tough. He elevated his game as per the demands of the day. The extraordinary stuff he churned out against Germany in the semifinal is a case in point. The Germans had scored two goals after conceding three and the Indians were waging a great battle for holding on to the slender single goal lead. The Germans pounded the Indian defence relentlessly after their second goal that came in the 64th minute. Being one of the three Olympians in the side, Devesh not only stood like a rock of Gibraltar in those defining moments, but also guided the defence with his timely shrills and shouts. The saves he made on that day were countless. And, his form was the turning point as far as the Indian campaign at Hobart was concerned. He played all the matches at Hobart where he was also the deputy captain.
His histrionics at Hobart thankfully proved to be the beginning. The latest was the Afro-Asian Games in Hyderabad, India, in 2003. After three straight wins in the league, India locked horns against Malaysia in the semifinals. Full stands and fiery attacks that yielded six penalty corners, three more than the rivals, did not give India any lead. It was one of those days did nothing click for the home side. The score stood 1-1 even after the 15-minute extra time of play; the 1998 Commonwealth Games days — India lost the semis to Malaysia in the penalty shoot out — loomed large on the Indian minds. It was at this juncture, Devesh’s proved the axiom that when the goings get tough the tough gets going. He stood between India and the Commonwealth Games repeat. Devesh dived to his right to block the push of the experienced Chua Boon Huat — who was on his 173rd international match on that day — in the tie-breaker ordeal. This paved way for India to reach the final. The rest is history — Indian won its fourth title of the year 2003.
Note: Rest in the Book