Sardar Singh is one of the senior most players in the Dhaka Indian team if not in the whole assembly. The Olympians will make an unique record that hitherto only Dilip Tirkey, Member of Parliament nowadays, had. Sardar will be donning his fourth Asia Cup colours in Dhaka, equalling the show of Dilip Tirkey.
Sardar Singh’s first Asia Cup was in Chennai which turned out to be a great outing for the home side. The Indian team coached by Joaquim Carvalho and led by Prabodh Tirkey successfully retained the Asia Cup title, beating Korea in the league and also in the final.
Sardar Singh then was manned the role of inside forward before changing it to midfilder.
He was a total defender in the 2009 Asia Cup. He returned to his pivotal position in the next two Asia Cups.
He led India at the last Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur.
Despite playing thrice, his gold remains the one that he got in Chennai. India was not among the medals in 2009 and lost the final against Korea under his leadership.
Sardar Singh was not in his elements in the last Asian level engagement, Asian Champions Trophy at Kuantan, but showed his class in crucial moments, especially in the semis against Malaysia to get the elusive goal that took the match to shoot out which India won. He was declared Man of the Match for the semis there.
The veteran therefore is expected to repeat his golden Kuantan moments at Dhaka where the Asia Cup returns after 22 years.
Will he bring the crown in his fourth Asia Cup? Its a million dollar question.