Features: Captain Sandeep Singh, a perspective

Sandeep Singh, 23, has been made captain of the Indian team for the Argentina tour. The news that came on the eve of New Year, made good of headlines.

Sandeep’s elevation is the unanimous choice of the Selection Committee of the Ad-hoc Committee of the IHF. Sandeep is the first player in the modern era to become captain of the national team even before playing one hundred matches for India.

The Selection Committee, enjoying full freedom nowadays, consists of players of age 40 to 60, they are all famed and decorated former players.

We have therefore at the outset respect their decision. Expectedly, not much questions were also raised on their choice by any concerned, especially by the media for whom the issue of leadership is always dear.

Sandeep Singh has sometimes been a match winner, coaches who trained him, selected him, pin high hopes on his caliber, especially in the art of drag flicks. Sandeep has fairly delivered at the junior international outings before graduating to senior grade.

If one looks at his evolution as a decent player that he is nowadays, it is amply clear that his strength is penalty corner conversions, but that quality alone did not ensure him a place in the senior national team. He was expected to be a good defender also.

He was often found wanting as a decent defender in the beginning, being over-shadowed by the likes of Len Aiyappa, William Xalxo, Kanwalpreet Singh, VR Raghunath, Harpal Singh, to quote a few, besides unquestionably high-calibre Dilip Tirkey.

In the whole of 2004, 2005 and better part of 2006, the nation paid a heavy price — and it was worth — in trying out him as a midfielder before he got his slot for the senior side. His acumen in drag flicks are hardly debatable – though statistics prove he has to go miles before a worthy nightmare teams like strong Europeans, Australia and Argentina — he is yet to get a clean chit from coaches in the question of defender.

Last year coach Bansal praised him as a defender when India reached the finals of the Azlan Shah Cup in years. Before that Joaquim Carvalho questioned his commitment, but one need not attach much importance to the Mumbai coach whose very commitment to the team’s cause is not beyond cloud.

Present coach Harendera, who polished Sandeep in 2003 and 2004 in junior circuit, spoke high of him, and we are waiting to hear his last words once the team returns from Argentina tour.

In the existing situation, it is fair to conclude Sandeep is young, emerging player, if groomed properly, will become a long term material.

This writer entails a degree of reservation in this respect. To groom a player, he needs to be totally loyal to the game, keep away personal prejudices and choices on men and matters, focus on learning and improving – and in the team winning, India or Air India.

Sandeep, all said and done, is extremely good against traditional Asian block (Malaysia, Pakistan) and Level II European teams, but found wanting against level 1 European, Pan American and Oceania teams. Anyone who keeps his goals-scored record against each nation will vouchsafe for this fact. His PC skills, potential and delivery-worth, are still a pale shadow of the best in the contemporary scene.

It is therefore what is important for him is, to devote his focus to his skills, which needs lot more polishing, focus etc.

A long spell under specialized coaches in European country like Netherlands is a must for him so that he evolves in the mould of Brahm Lomans or Sohail Abbas – and also to acquire variety in his weapon.

At this juncture of his life the Shahbad’s gem needs focus and concentration which are now at the danger of erosion due to the unexpected leadership responsibilities.

For an outsider, captaincy is hardly an issue in hockey sport, but for the team it is something that can make or mar their team spirit.

Ramandeep Singh’s case is in point. He was simply the best left-half since he took the spot of well-entrenched Shakeel Ahmed with a gold at the 1995 Azlan Shah Cup. How we lost such a promising talent in the short span of next five years, throws some lessons for us to learn.

About six players were senior to Ramandeep Singh in terms of caps and age, whatever way you look at, before on one moment of madness KPS Gill and his loyal Coach Baskaran catapulted him to Sydney Olympics leadership.

Ramandeep, highly sophisticated, cultured, educated, obedient, could not bear the burden. He buckled under pressure. Even Gill refused to take him for the team after Sydney – even refusing to heed to the repeated requests of then Union Minister Dhindsa. Because, Ramandeep — who was a pillar of strength for the team till then — faltered where he was supposed to be otherwise – at the Olympics. Most of the goals, including the Poland’s equalizer – scored through the area which he was supposed to safeguard.

But for Ramandeep Singh – however harsh the comment is – India would have played the semifinals against Pakistan at Sydney. Was it a fault of Ramandeep Singh? No, he did not ask for the leadership, it was thrust on him to deny the likes of Dhanraj Pillay, Dilip Tirkey, Md. Riaz, Baljit Dhillon etc etc.

Having a nice guy at the top is one thing, the same guy gaining the confidence of team mates is another. Leave this. Even performing to one’s known potential becomes difficult if your team mates does not extend fullest cooperation.

The situation is almost similar now, as that of Sydney.

There are half a dozen players in the Argentina and Punjab Gold Cup team who are by age or caps senior to him. I fear Sandeep will have it in himself to take everyone into confidence and be a real leader. And then give a decent performance.

I was really peeved when I happened to read one of his off the cuff remarks (India would have qualified had I been part of the team) in the wake of Chile Olympic Qualifier disaster.

A couple of days after becoming the captain, he openly commented on the issue of foreign coach. This was the time when the Ministry and Adhoc Committee were trying to do the opposite. It almost gave an impression that he rebuffed their efforts. Without going into the merit of his opposition to foreign coach, it can be fairly said Sandeep entered into an avoidable controversy, thereby bringing in whispers among the decision makers. Fairness and wisdom dictate that when the Adhoc Committee does not interfere in team selection and choice of captaincy, they also need their freedom. Why should one, then, interfere in what is clearly an administrative decision to avail the services of a competent foreign coach?

Sandeep Singh needed to be counseled properly and his energies channelized to perfect the god-gifted wrist and brain. He can do wonders as a player but lose the verve and vitality if dabbles in unnecessary and unfamiliar areas.

Whether India needs a foreign coach or not, Sandeep certainly needs one to realize his true potential. As now, he is worth only half his material.

We want a Sandeep Singh, a match winner. We want more goals, crucial goals from him, not just tossing the coin. It would hardly matter whether he is a player or captain. History will judge him only for his performance, not anything else.

Dhanraj was hailed for his 11 goals at the 1998 Asian Games, not for anything else.

More importantly, he should not fall into the falsehood of championing causes which are not of his domain. As a true leader, he should try to espouse the team’s day today needs and demands in polite and measured manners for which he is known for.

Of the four Selectors who named him the leader, except Ajit Pal all others (Aslam Sher Khan, Dhanraj Pillay, Ashok Kumar) are known today not for their captaincy but for their match winning abilities. Aslam, Pillay and Ashok never led their sides in World Cup or Olympics, but are highly valued stars because of their exploits.

We want a performing Sandeep Singh, want him to score one hundred goals in one season, not want him to perish under the weight of personal prejudices. Sandeep as of now is precariously placed.

As home-grown Diwakarram breathing down his neck, and Raghunath not getting his share of match experience, Innocent Kullu and William Xalxo pressing on, Sandeep has to go miles before he commands unquestionable position in the team — that can happen only if he scores against level I teams.

We have faith in him, and he needs all round support. Let his stick talk, scoreboard reflect, media headlines won’t take him anywhere.