We have paucity of hockey talent in India: National selector
NEW DELHI: Do India have to continue with the present line-up? Six players from the 2006 Monchengladbach World Cup figured in the 12th edition here with a few among them not very inclined to make things better after having pushed India to an ignominious 11th position four years ago.
New Delhi 2010 might have seen India climb up three rungs but the performance hasn’t been too encouraging—just one win over Pakistan and a hard-earned draw against South Africa. It has been only defeats beyond that, with three goals in half a jiffy by Argentina brutally exposing India’s frailties in the play-offs.
So, where did India go wrong? In tactics, strategy or in selection of players?
According to a national selector, the fault lies in the selection itself. But then, these ‘errors’ had to be committed because hockey in India does not throw up enough choices these days owing to sheer paucity of talent.
“Otherwise, why would we still persist with the 30-year-old Prabhjot Singh, who is clearly past his prime and did nothing right in this World Cup?’’ the selector said as he dissected India’s pathetic run in the World Cup. “We wanted world class players for this tournament. But what we saw at the selection trials was hardly inspiring.’’
Indictment, in a way, of how the game is being run in the country but the selector said the committee had to settle for the mediocre because that was all the country had. “We knew Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot and a few others were not the best in the world but were the best on view at the trials. We had no reason to believe that Thakur hadn’t recovered fully from an injury he sustained last year. The medical reports stated he was fully fit. Of course, fielding him in a big tournament after he was out for a year was not right,’’ the selector said.
Analysing the performance of the team, he said: “Sandeep is overworked in the defence. He is not fit or flexible enough to take the load. That has had a negative impact on his dragflicks because he has no energy left to work on them. Dhananjay Mahadik and Bharat Chhikara are just not fit for world-level competitions. Perhaps, Diwakar Ram could have been used more.’’
The selector felt Gurbaj Singh, Sardar Singh and Rajpal Singh stood out among the lot as did Shivendra. “Arjun too did his bit but he is getting old. In fact, we have a team which is fast aging. We need to find replacements soon.’’
That brings us to the question: Will the team management bring back those in the core group who were unceremoniously dumped midway through the camp? Prabodh Tirkey (arguably India’s best left half among the present lot) and VS Vinaya can bolster the midfield further. VR Raghunath can give the coach more options in the defence and penalty corners while Roshan Minz and Hari Prasad can add variety to India’s attack along with SV Sunil, who missed the World Cup owing to an injury.
The thinktank can also study the talent pool that chief coach Jose Brasa’s predecessor Joaquim Carvalho had formed or conversely, rely on the junior talent that AK Bansal has honed. A mix and match here may see the Indian team post a rather healthy look.
In any case, Brasa needs to look beyond this set of players to find replacements for those in crucial positions. A visit to national-level tournaments to scout talent will not be a bad idea either. With the Commonwealth Games seven months away, some changes may yield the expected results.
Team India dissected
Defence:
The weakest point in the Indian team. Sandeep Singh is still a slow learner in trapping and passing, too nervous when it comes to trapping under pressure from the opponents. Dhananjay Mahadik has to get his basics right. His trapping and passing leaves a lot to be desired. Thoughtlessness pervades this area. Bharat Chhikara, who also doubles up as a left half, dribbles for no reason and is easy prey for the opposition. This has led to more goals against India from the right flank. Diwakar Ram needs grooming so that he becomes more adroit and nifty as a defender. He has been a bull in a china shop thus far. Retackling still needs to be mastered by these players. As for goalkeepers, it is time Adrian D’Souza got an able ally. PR Sreejesh can wait. It is time to bring back Bharat Chetri.
Midfield:
The best news has been its resilience, having saved India from trouble in the defence. But not to the extent the Aussies, for example, do. Arjun Halappa is imaginative, although given to doing too many things himself. He has a fine sense of tackling and ball retrieval and has adequate athletic skills as he crosses over to the attack zone. But he can limit his overzealousness a bit and allow the forwards to take over. Sardar Singh and Gurbaj Singh also suffer from overdoing the playmaking part but they have made an impact in retackling, leading to quick turnovers. Gurbaj has to curb his reckless streak, particularly when he falls back to help the defence. Tushar Khandker is a natural go-getter and hence should be used more in the frontline. Vikram Pillay has been assigned too many roles. He falls back to defend as well as clears the flanks with his runs at the other end. His tasks can be better focussed in the midfield and defence.
Forwardline:
A set of players who have returned a mixed bag. Overelaboration is their bane. Rajpal Singh still thrills with his runs, control and body dodge, so does Sarwanjit Singh. Deepak Thakur should realise his limitations and bow out. Ditto with Prabhjot Singh, who is a shadow of his nimble self three years ago, when he starred for India in the Asia Cup. Shivendra Singh has shown enough gumption during penetration while Gurvinder Singh Chandi has the nip but looks clueless in the circle. Overall, the players here need to show the same level of fitness throughout. With the accent on a complex bout of passing around the circle, the forwardline needs every bit of energy to carry them through a 70-minute match.
Penalty corners:
India went into the World Cup with three specialists. But none of them made it count. The dragflicks were either anticipated or never came off. Sandeep was at his best against Pakistan. But the others – Mahadik and Diwakar – were listless. There were no variations too despite having focused on them at the Pune camp.
What needs to be done…
Groom fresh talent to form a strong development team. Australia have a development squad as good as their senior team.
Replace some of the dead wood with fresh legs.
Jose Brasa should interact with top coaches in the country and hold more clinics so that a uniform method of coaching is worked out. This will ensure that players chosen for the senior team will not have to go through the basics again.