The Hindu : Sport / Hockey : Lack of transparency in Dhanraj Pillay issue shocking

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 12, 2004

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Sport - Hockey

Lack of transparency in Dhanraj Pillay issue shocking

By S. Thyagarajan

CHENNAI, APRIL 11. Shuffling the combination every two months is now part of the selection process for the Indian Hockey Federation. The rationale behind such moves is never properly explained after each event. In this context, there is little to be surprised about the 18-member squad for the twin competitions in Canberra and Sydney starting next week.

Striking is the non-inclusion of the three seasoned campaigners, Dhanraj Pillay, Baljit Singh Dhillon and Baljit Singh Saini. None of them was even in the list of probables. The inference by some sections is that Dhanraj's continued omission is a signal to sideline the star; there is a widespread speculation that he has donned the Indian colours for the last time at the Azlan Shah tournament in Kuala Lumpur.

Lack of transparency in dealing with the issue relating to Dhanraj Pillay has left many interpretations painting the administration in none too bright colours. The silence, or the refusal of the chief coach, Rajinder Singh, to come clear speaks loudly about his perception of the stalwart player, reckoned by many as a world-class forward. That they confront each other at every turn is no secret.

Admittedly, the choice before the selection panel was limited; some of the talented players like Sandeep Micheal and V.S. Vinay have to be shifted to the junior squad, which is taking part in the World Cup qualifier at Karachi during the same period.

While the policy of experimenting with different combinations may be hailed in some quarters as aimed at developing the talent base, there has been very little follow up on those who tried and failed. The case of Didar Singh is one such instance of a player undeservingly elevated to the Champions Trophy purely on account of the preference shown by the chief coach and now dumped for no palpable reason. Didar's failure to prove his calibre at any level has not deterred Rajinder Singh from inducting more and more with very limited skills and credentials.

The combination that will be tested in Australia in the next fortnight actually gives no clue to the preparations for the Olympics. Venturing to fashion a handful of raw talent, months before the summit at Athens to be part of the national squad does not conform to the accepted canons of logic.

Where and when players like Jatinderpal and Ajitpal were tried and tested to claim national attention is best known only to the coach and the selectors whom he chose to convince rather easily. While discussing the strength, or the lack of it, the chief coach, Rajinder Singh, has fortified himself well, saying the outcome in Australia mattered little; and everything is geared to Athens Games. The logical question then is, "Why take part in such tournaments?" The talk of working on `grey area' is too hackneyed to take note of. If anything, grey areas are removed in coaching camps and not during tournaments attracting international attention, especially when the team is defending the trophy that was won after a series of splendid performances in Perth and Sydney last year.

Despite the lack of logic in the selection, the nucleus remains undisturbed. However, it goes without saying that a lot depends on how well the defence consisting of Dilip Tirkey and Kanwalpreet Singh shapes against the nippy Aussies and the South Africans. Neither was inspiring in the Olympic qualifier at Madrid. The third defender, Jatinderpal Singh, believed to be a drag flicker in the mould of Jugraj Singh, is yet to be tested.

Both goal-keepers, Devesh Chauhan and Bharat Chettri, have the expertise and experience to turn in a convincing show. It will be worthwhile to alternate the goal-keepers as to give them enough exposure, a tactic that has paid rich dividends for Pakistan under the Dutch coach, Roelant Oltmans.

Even without Vikram Pillay, dropped presumably owing to fitness after the injury he sustained in Madrid, the mid-field offers some consolation. The trio of Ignace Tirkey, Bimal Lakra and Viren Resquinha, is a strong phalanx, with the intention of playing deep defender Harpal Singh in the zone. It is difficult to understand why Len Aiyappa is being persisted with when his utility value as a flicker in penalty corner has never been realised in well over three tournaments now.

Gagan Ajit Singh, Deepak Thakur, Prabhjot Singh and Arjun Halappa constitute the strike force, which can be lethal only if there is a touch of consistency and combined work. As an artful dribbler, Raju should provide some support along with Halappa. Untested at this grade are Inderjeet, Ajitpal and Sunil Yadav.

The effectiveness of the frontline is based largely on the defence splitting passes from the mid-field. In the absence of the two tested and tried men, Dhanraj and Dhillon, the role of Bimal Lakra and Ignace Tirkey in this mode becomes significant. Even if one of them proves as the adequate substitute, then the quality of attack coming good in the tour looks bright.

Like every competition, the twin events in Australia can offer quite a few lessons. How well the team of coaches — N.S. Sodhi becomes the second coach in place of Baldev Singh — study them to enhance the quality and content before the Olympics remains a haunting question.

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