Titbits Here and there: South Africa – India Test Series

Tushar Khandkar was today’s captain. Hockey India announced it is his 200th match. He was lucky to be a winner today as India dragged to near draw. So, in the press meet, a journalist asked, ‘were you under tension India was not winning almost’. Tushar announced in his inimitable style: “Whether I lead or play 200th match, it hardly matters. We play every match for winning. We were certainly not under tension, take it from me”.

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When couple of minutes remained for the hooter, as the match score stood 1-1, Michael Nobbs made three substitutions, one was Sandeep Singh. India a got its last of its three penalty corners, and this man scored.

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Vikas Sharma was warming up on the sidelines when one fan all of a sudden started addressing him as ‘Panditji’. He smiled and replied in short. Vikas is from Meerut, there are some hometown fans here, they call him ‘Panditji’.

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“India made seven changes to the side, still they defeated you, what is your opinion”, South African coach was asked. Pat came the reply: “The new players are Ignace Tirkey, Vikram Pillay. Don’t you know they played more than 200 matches each?”

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Indian goalie Bharat Chetri was moving towards dressing room without dropping it in the box before breaking for lemon time. Technical bench rushed to him and got it. “What do you think, I will change it in the dressing room’, asked smiling Chetri politely.

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Who cheer the Indian team most vociferously? A group of boys who sport cricket jersey and with bats. Yes, they are school boys training for cricket in the complex. They really enjoy hockey, and it is nice see many of them regularly come and see hockey. Hope cricket baiters read this. Some of them get excited whenever India attacks and stand up and cheer the team full throat.

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There were lot of television people for the India-South Africa opener. Hardly a few turned up for yesterday. Incidentally, with the Doordarsan telecasting live from second day onwards, one happens to see Kukoo Walia, Jagbir Singh, Md. Ghouse and Anupam Ghulati cris-cross the vital areas as they are commentators.

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Women hockey team wanted to watch men’s world cup, but could not. At least now they turn up regularly to see Indian men’s in action. All these girls sit on one side of the stadium and support their counter parts with enthusiasm. Nice to see there two great former stars goalie Tingu and midfielder Sumrai Tete. What a player they were all?

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It has gone awry twice. Even as team line up, as the announcer sounds playing of national anthem, Indian one either low in sound or too high. On the other hand, the national anthem of Azerbaijan is so long that one feels two other nations’ could have been accomodated in that time frame!