`I have atleast three years of international hockey left in me’

“I even told the top brass of the IHF that I am willing to play under anyone after consulting a very senior player in Mumbai who advised me that captaincy is not as important as representing yourcountry, especially at the Olympics,” Pillay explained. “I even avoided speaking to the press on an issue relating to captaincy and kept away from any controversial topic,” he added.

Pillay seemed to continue from Bangkok, inspiring Seniors XI to victory at Chennai, excelling both as a scorer and play-maker and along with attacking mid-fielder Sabu Varkey, another `victim’, scintillated in the MCC Murugappa triumph.

Varkey, Pillay and four others — goalkeepers Ashish Ballal and A Subbaiah, forward Mukesh Kumar and mid-fielder Sandeep Somesh were `rested’, read axed, by those in tune with the undercurrents of Indian hockey. The six, sum and substance of India’s challenge in international hockey, don’t find a place among 31 probables for the South African tour.

Speculation on the bizarre move by the IHF, which undermined India’s challenge in the lost series against Pakistan earlier this year, revolved around Pillay’s solidarity with players on the issue of financial commitments not met by thefederation.

But all that appeared water under the bridge as Pillay, developing resilience that seemed beyond an emotional player, came to terms with himself and the federation. “I followed Jothikumaran’s advice,” Pillay said.

“I concentrated on Sydney, focussed on the job at hand and played quietly,” he added.

Pillay said he mended fences with re-emerging national coach Vasudevan Bhaskaran with whom he had severe differences bordering on animosity. Pillay explained that a truce of sorts, brokered by Jothikumaran, augured well for the country’s challenge at the Sydney Olympics for which India are spared the rigours of qualifying, thanks to the Bangkok triumph.

Pillay, based in the hockey-loving Pune suburb of Kirkee, said he phoned Jothikumaran in Chennai this morning and the IHF secretary, expressing surprise on the omission of the triple World Cupper and double Olympian, said he would talk to president KPS Gill on the subject.

But 31-year-old Pillay refuses to plead for inclusion in the squad.“I feel I am good enough to play at Sydney and if the country needs me, I am ready to play anytime. I have proved my fitness at the sprint and endurance — both at Bangalore and Chennai — and have clearly shown that I have at least three years of international hockey left in me.”

Pillay said he was happy playing hockey wherever and whenever he can and, the reverse notwithstanding, he is upbeat on travelling to Germany to assist Stuttgart in the German league late August.

Former India centre-forward Jagbir Singh has been involved in Pillay’s recruitment and it is believed that several German internationals will play along side Pillay in the Bundesliga.

Pillay has played for FC Lyon for several years but with the French club merging with another, his future in France is doubtful. Playing in Europe has boosted the centre-forward’s game and, by his own admission, it shows immediately on his return to India.