Pune Strykers dark horse in WSH

Sandip G
Express News Service

CHENNAI: There is something of Rajasthan Royals of IPL-1 in Pune Strykers in the ongoing World Series Hockey.

An ensemble of has-beens, persevering overseas players, a couple of zealous youngsters and an obscure coach have combined to forge a fruitful partnership for the team. Strykers occupy joint third spot with Chandigarh Comets with 12 points from eight matches (three wins, two losses and three draws).

Like all teams, they were dented by the national camp, leading to the absence of Birendra Lakra, Gurvinder Singh Chandi, MG Poonacha and Chinglensana Singh. Diwakar Ram’s injury weakened them further. Half the players in the list are unknown entities or tried, tested and failed players. Even their foreign contingent — Mario Almada, Kenny Pereira and Lungile Tsolokile — are players of modest talent.

But like Rajasthan Royals, they have settled into a team faster than most others, they are aware of their limitations but have stretched their strengths to the limits. They don’t necessarily play the most aesthetic or attacking brand of hockey, but a rather efficient, meticulous type, wherein they cash in on their opponents’ weakness and make it count.

Pertinently, they aren’t bothered about their style of play. “We are a confident side and though we don’t have big names, it’s a nice mix of young Indian players and some experienced foreigners.

Though many of the Indians haven’t been in the team, some of them are really world-class. Some of them are saying that we are the dark horse, but there is still a long way to go in the tournament,” said Pereira, with an experience of 300-odd intl matches.

Both Pereira and Argentine Almada have been influential for Pune while Vikas Pillay, has been their workhorse.

Vikas, younger brother of Vikram, is a bundle of energy, constantly switching flanks and orchestrating their moves. So has been Roshan Minz, who despite figuring in the list of probables for the Olympics, decided to play in WSH. The find of the league is perhaps Gurpreet Singh, who has scored eight goals with his trampoline flicks.

Coach Gundeep Singh is impressed by the midfielder.

“He is a special talent and is an asset to the team. You will hear more of him in the future,” he observed.