A hardworking horse with magic wand

SV Sunil is one of the three players from Coorg in the London Olympics squad and, in the scheme of attacking hockey that the Indian team is playing now, perhaps the most important. His brilliant winning goal against Pakistan at the recent Sultan Azlan Shah Cup was only the latest in a long list of impressive performances that have helped the team in recent times.

Born on May 6, 1989, the talented forward defies the norm both in terms of physical appearance and his game. Lithe and athletic, he looks almost too fragile to play hockey, often appearing as a contrast against the bigger, muscular Europeans. However, his lean frame is deceptive and with incredible strength and stamina, Sunil is not only among the fittest players in the world today but also one of the fastest on field. In fact, often he has been asked to take it a bit slow to allow his team mates to catch up!

Making his international debut at the 2007 Asia Cup in Chennai, Sunil also played a pivotal role in India retaining the Junior Asia Cup at Hyderabad next year, winning two consecutive titles. Sunil failed to make the cut for the 2008 Olympic qualifier in Chile but returned to the national side after that disaster, winning silver at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. He also played a key role in the squad that won Azlan Shah in 2009, an achievement made more poignant by the fact that his father had passed away the day before the opening match of the competition. Sunil had the option of leaving for home but decided to stay with the team, not going even for the funeral. The title win was, expectedly, dedicated by the entire team to Sunil’s heroics.

Misfortune struck early in 2010, when Sunil had to undergo shin surgery and had to miss the World Cup at home. In fact, the year 2010 was a very important one for Indian hockey and Sunil was unlucky to miss two other big tournaments the same year — the Commonwealth Games at home and Asian Games in Guangzhou.

However, it turned out to be the right thing to do, giving him enough time to completely recover and rehabilitate himself from the injury. He returned to the national side for the 2011 Azlan Shah Cup and turned out to be India’s best winger. He also played a key role in India winning the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy in Ordos and bronze at this year’s Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.