Prabhjot Singh: Midfield to take etc load to offset missing of Baljit and Dilip

The Indian team is on its way to the “learning tour” to Europe.

Attack has always been India’s strength on the turfs. Prabhjot Singh, left winger, has been the main stay of Indian attack since almost ten years. He is the man-to-watch. Even as Indian team reached very late in Delhi, and the schedule were very tight, the genial gentleman, humble left-winger spared time to talk to s2h exclusively on the tour, preparations, and the tour’s impact on the World Cup that India will host early next year.

S2h: Prabhjot, how confident is the team for Europe tour?
Prabhjot Singh: We are very confident we will do well. We have been doing reasonably well in the recent past. The team is shaping up nicely and there is good understanding among the boys. So we are pretty confident of putting up a good show.

S2h: How much useful the Pune camp was?
Prabhjot Singh: We learnt a lot in the camp. Coaches insisted on improving the basics- tackling, dribbling, passing etc. We had to undergo some medical tests as well, which were really helpful. All in all, it was a fabulous experience.

S2h: Didn’t anyone face language problem with Brasa?
Prabhjot Singh: (laughs): Not really. Those who don’t understand English were helped by others. Nothing to worry, we will try to learn English or will make Brasa learn Punjabi. (Laughs again)

S2h: The hottest issue in the air is Baljeet Singh. Do you feel he will be really missed?
Prabhjot Singh: Baljeet is India’s number-1 goal-keeper and he has been doing a great job. You always miss your champion players but you have to look ahead. We have Adrain in the team, who is very experienced. Srjeesh will join the squad soon. He is young and very talented. So personally, we will miss Balli, but his job will be done nicely.

S2h: India is always considered weak against the European teams because of many reasons. How will you try to come over?
Prabhjot Singh: Well this is the main purpose of the tour. We are not going there to win; we are going there to learn. This tour would be a good learning experience for us for the future events like world cup. We will try to learn and improve as much as possible.

S2h: Along with Baljit, Dilip Tirkey is also not with the squad. Defence looks quite weak!
Prabhjot Singh: Yes, it looks so. But our coach has made plans to overcome that. We will play with one sweeper-back and then the midfield will take on the additional responsibility.

S2h:: All the best for the tour, Prabhjot.