The Hindu : Sport : New-look team meets with approval

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 03, 2006

Sport

Sport

New-look team meets with approval

S. Thyagarajan

Chennai: Call it pragmatism or a heartening response, the decision of the Indian Hockey Federation to shuffle the squad for the Commonwealth Games evokes approbation. The return of Viren Resquinha and Deepak Thakur enhances the strength of the team.

The collective thrust of the team for Melbourne generates a thread of optimism. How well captain Ignace Tirkey mobilises it into a winning unit is best left to conjecture.

While goal-keeper Bharat Chetri won his spurs during the Champions Trophy against tough combinations to take the role of the No. 1 goal-keeper from Adrian D' Souza, Kanwalpreet Singh emerges as leader in the defence in place of the injured Dilip Tirkey. It's a pity that India is consistently missing the seasoned Tirkey for one reason or the other.

More polished player

There are no two opinions that Kanwal is a more polished player now. His conversion rate is also striking. But the combined strength of the defence, which includes Harpal Singh and Sandeep Singh, looks inadequate. Neither Harpal nor Sandeep show that flawless consistency.

The frailty in the defence can be made up by the well knit mid-field led by Ignace. The recent performances of Vikram Pillay against Pakistan have been praiseworthy. And in the company the equally competent Viren Resquinha and the fast improving Prabhodh Tirkey, the duo of Vikram and Ignace can hold fort.

The diminutive Arjun Halappa is a utilitarian who can figure in the mid-field and also in the attack. Deepak Thakur will be source of strength with the young Tushar Khandekar and Rajpal Singh adding to that element of vibrancy to the frontline.

Good showing

It is agreed that Thakur has not been in the best of element after the painful blow during the Olympic Games at Athens. But he figured prominently during the Azlan Shah tournament at Kuala Lumpur and his showing in the PHL has helped Deepak regain the berth.

Didar Singh's role is not well defined. At best he will be the additional flicker.

Tejbir Singh and Saradar Singh can only make a marginal contribution. It appears the quartet of Khander, Rajpal Singh, Halappa and Deepak Thakur will be principal striking force apart from full back Sandeep's drag flicks in penalty corners.

It goes without saying that only a medal in Melbourne, whatever its hue, will convince enthusiasts that Indian hockey is out the morass after the disastrous Champions Trophy in Chennai.

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