Hockey146;s X-factors

That is what should change if juniors are drafted into the team. They8217;d be eager to prove their mettle and impress the selectors 8212; and hopefully their enthusiasm will rub off on to the other members of the team.

The last time this happened was when the juniors returned home with the World Cup under coach Rajinder Singh. The likes of Gagan Ajit Singh, Viren Rasquinha, Deepak Thakur and Prabhjot Singh made a smooth transition to the senior side and, with veteran Dhanraj Pillay getting second wind, turned Indian hockey on its head.

So can history repeat itself? Are there any among the current crop of youngsters who can revitalise the national team, provide the missing spark? Sportline asked Harinder Singh, assistant to senior coach Rajinder Singh, and Clarence Lobo, assistant junior coach, to pick the players who they feel could do just that. Here8217;s their pick, with their comments:

TUSHAR KHANDEKAR: From Bhopal, a classic example of achieving success through hard work and determination. Has improved a lot in the past few months. He can be a good ally to Gagan Ajit Singh up front.
STRENGTHS: Has one of the most venomous shots. Is an opportunist in the danger zone and mentally very strong. Can win a match on his own
WEAKNESS: Is a bit shaky in a one-to-one situation.

V RAJA:
18-year-old linkman/winger from Tamil Nadu has been very impressive. Currently playing the Dutch league
STRENGTHS: Traditional Indian artistry. He8217;s one player who can give the opposition, especially exponents of European-style hockey, a rough time. Clean tackling, good acumen, creativity8230; a coach8217;s delight
WEAKNESS: Slows down after passing defenders. Ideally, he should be like Dhanraj, who8217;d explode after beating the defence. Will score more goals if he sorts out this problem

NITIN KUMAR:
Brilliant on the right wing, where he forms a deadly combination with V S Vinay. The two don8217;t have to look at each other before passing, each knows where the other is
STRENGTHS: Reading of the game makes him a very good playmaker. Also, doesn8217;t lose possession easily. Is very accurate with his passes and is a gifted player. Most impressive quality is his ability to emerge triumphant in a one-to-one situation, where most Indian forwards are found wanting
WEAKNESS: Finishing not sharp enough

GURBAD SINGH:
Has a thinking brain and all the credentials to develop into a classic right-half
STRENGTHS: Great timing. Knows exactly when to release the ball. Earlier, most of the moves used to be initiated from the right flank before the left-inners and the left-halves started dominating. With him around, the team has the option of attacking from both the wings
WEAKNESS: Cannot be used in any other role

V S VINAY:
One of the players who has showed considerable improvement over the years. Currently playing in the Spanish League
STRENGTHS: USP is off-the-ball running, a must-have quality today. Brilliant at overlapping, a workhorse. Could provide good support to Viren Rasquinha and Vikram Pillay in the midfield
WEAKNESS: Tends to hold on to the ball for too long

WILLIAM XALXO: Has come a long way from the small township of Sundergarh, 373 kms north-west of Bhubaneswar
STRENGTHS: His body language clinches it for him. Has loads of energy, a clean tackler and can adjust to any position at any give point
WEAKNESS: Has to improve on his hits. Also, at times doesn8217;t know what to do during a one-to-one situation

PRABODH TIRKEY:
Has developed into a classic all-rounder over the years
STRENGTHS: A master of his trade. Has good hits, slap shot, scoop, skills, artistry8230; he8217;s a complete player. Harinder feels he enjoys whatever he does. He8217;ll sport a smile even if the team is trailing by five goals. A perfect modern day player
WEAKNESS: Many feel he isn8217;t focussed enough, sometimes gives the impression of being selfish.