We have overcome the crisis: Tushar Khandekar

BUSSELTON (Australia): Indian hockey captain Tushar Khandekar says the team has overcome the turmoil of losing three players to suspension after an ugly showdown with their Pakistani counterparts during a match but conceded that it would be difficult to fill the vacant slots.

Gurbaj Singh, Gurwinder Singh Chandi and Tushar himself were suspended for one to five matches besides the team’s assistant coach Jugraj Singh and manager David John.

“As a hockey player, I feel this should not have happened. We are ambassadors of the game and our duty is to improve the profile of the game. I regret this happened at the closing moments of the last match. But we cannot live on the past, we have got to overcome it and in fact we have overcome it,” he said.

Tushar was suspended as he is the captain of the side even though he was sitting on the bench when the incident occurred on the turf.

“I was actually not playing in the last five minutes when the incident happened. I was substituted by the coach. Probably, the rule holds that the captain is responsible for everything that happens on the field and expected him to have prevented such things, so be it,” he said.

Asked whether the absence of key players such as Gurbaj and Gurwinder Chandi for the remaining matches would affect the tea’s morale, Tushar felt the team has enough resources to do well.

“We are here with 22 players. The coach would decide whom to replace and how to do that. What I can say is that both the players suspended are experienced, certainly difficult to fill them exactly. But, at the same time, it gives opportunity to others waiting in the wings,” he said.

On whether the spat with Pakistani players would have a bearing on their repeat match on Tuesday, Tushar said, “We have played many times against Pakistan. We look forward to again play them. I will assure we cannot think of last Friday and hold on it. For us it is another day, another match.”

Tushar refused to comment on the fact that only one Pakistan player, captain Shakeel Abbasi, was suspended.

“I won’t comment on this. Competent people must have taken the decision, it is for our management to take a view. As far as players are concerned, we will not leave any stone unturned to perform better,” He said.

“In future, we will be careful such things are not repeated,” he concluded.

India will play repeat matches in the next two days. They will clash against Australia tomorrow and Pakistan on Tuesday here.

Then they move to Perth on Thursday to play the ranking matches at Bentley Hockey Stadium to wind up the long tour.