Dilip Tirkey set to become India’s defence coach

By Mihir Vasavda | Place: Mumbai | Agency: DNA

India’s defensive woes were more than visible during their five-Test series against South Africa. And from the selectors’ point of view, there seems to be no solution to this problem.

Despite coach Michael Nobbs trying and testing various combinations in the series which India won 3-1 (the last match, on Sunday, ended in a 3-3 draw), no particular defender managed to impress. What’s more, the existing committed childish errors.

It is learnt that Hockey India has turned to former India skipper Dilip Tirkey and AB Subbaiah, the former goalkeeper, to take over as the defence coaches of the national team. They are likely to take charge when the next camp starts in February. “We have been conceding quite a lot. Against lesser teams, it won’t affect us but top countries will make the most of our deficiencies,” a selector told DNA on Sunday.

Sandeep Singh looked fragile as ever. What’s worse, neither VR Raghunath nor Rupinder Pal Singh managed to impress. Throughout the series, the Indian defence was guilty of conceding soft goals. They managed to keep a clean sheet in just one match. In the other four games, they conceded 10 goals. The team management is worried this might cost India dear during the Olympic qualifiers that begin in New Delhi on February 18.

The appointments of Tirkey and Subbaiah are expected to be formalised later this week. The selectors will also name the 22 probables over the next seven days. The team will then assemble in the Capital on January 31 for the qualifiers.

Stopwatch: India 3 (Yuvraj Walmiki 43, VR Raghunath 49, SK Uthappa 66) drew with South Africa 3 (Ricky West 26, Ian Haley 31, Miguel da Graca 34); India win five-match series 3-1