TOI: Rupinder, Uthappa dropped from Indian hockey team

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NEW DELHI: The Indian men’s hockey team has opted for experimentation for the upcoming Hockey World League (HWL) Semifinal starting on June 20 in Antwerp, Belgium.

Hockey India on Tuesday dropped top drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh, midfielder SK Uthappa and striker Mandeep Singh from the 18-member team to be led by Sardar Singh.

Chief coach Paul van Ass said the move is to prepare better for the Rio Olympics. “It is selection time and you have to be the best to fit into the tactical scheme of the coach. The boys have to fight for their positions and this system is here to stay till the Olympics,” Van Ass said.

“Rio is the next step. The idea is to get the best possible squad for Hockey World League final – to be held in New Delhi from November 28 to December 6 this year – and to see how we stand among the top eight hockey-playing countries. We have a new core group of 33 players. Not all are equal but I can always pick my training group from that,” he pointed.

On dropping senior players like Rupinder, the Dutch said it was time to try out variations to prepare for different situations. India, who play France in the opening match on June 20, are placed in Pool A along with France, Poland, Pakistan and Australia. China, Ireland, Malaysia, Great Britain and Belgium are clubbed in Pool B.

“It’s time for us to practice variations. The players dropped are neither gone nor have they done anything wrong but we have to be prepared for situations, like if two drag-flickers get injured just when the Olympics start, it will be out of our control. It’s always a threat. So it’s good to try something new at this moment,” he said.

On the team’s preparation, Van Ass said the team was working on its defence and on-field structure. “What I saw is that against top teams, once fit enough, we can do well. But we have a problem in making the game and creating ball speed. We are good if the other team creates the ball speed. We can pick it up from there and do fantastic things. There is a big lap to cover,” he said.

“I see defence as a team effort that starts from left flank to right along with the goalkeeper to make it work. In Indian hockey there is no midfield play. We will be looking at 10-10 structures, either in the rival’s territory or in our own half,” he pointed out.

“When you get a chance, you need to grab it,” Yuvraj said.

Yuvraj returns to squad

Things seemed to be running well for Yuvraj Walmiki before the Mumbai-lad picked up hamstring injury and was dropped from the Indian side a year back. The young forward has since worked on his game to stage a comeback.

“Things were going well when that injury happened. I was dropped and went back home. It was difficult to cope with it initially but it always helps to be around people with positive energy and right attitude,” Yuvraj said, referring to his family and cousins who play hockey.

“In the one-year gap, I missed out on two major tournaments (Commonwealth Games and Asian Games). I always had the hunger to come back. I wanted to work on my weaknesses and then got a chance in the Japan series,” he said.

“It is difficult to return after a gap of six months, to adapt to the changes. We are at a stage where nothing is permanent in the team. When you get a chance, you need to grab it,” he said.

Squad:

GOALKEEPERS: PR Sreejesh, Harjot Singh

DEFENDERS: Manpreet Singh, Birendra Lakra, Kothajit Singh, VR Ragunath, Jasjit Singh Kular, Gurmail Singh

MIDFIELDERS: Gurbaj Singh, Dharamvir Singh, Sardar Singh, Chinglensana Singh, Lalit Upadhyay

FORWARDS: SV Sunil, Nikkin Thimmaiah, Yuvraj Walmiki, Akashdeep Singh, Ramandeep Singh.