India’s blues: Skipper out, series in danger

Tomorrow is a big match for Pakistan, in more ways than one. A win would give them the series (both legs), ensuring they retain their supremacy over India, and also reinforce their faith in themselves. It would show that the decline in performance levels in the first leg at home was temporary.

It’s also the big match for Sohail Abbas. One goal away from scripting hockey history, Sohail is determined not to let the pressure get to him.

‘‘It would be good to get a record (for most international goals) on Wednesday — that too, in India, against India. But I’m not thinking about it too much, that only adds to the pressure. I just hope the team does well.’’

That is a distinct possibility, given that India’s most reliable player will be missing. While the official line is that skipper Tirkey is ‘‘recovering well’’ and might join the team late in the evening along with coach Gerhard Rach, sources say he is undergoing treatment in Delhi and is definitely out of the next two matches.

Pakistan skipper Waseem Ahmed reiterated that there was no ‘‘special plan’’ for the match, except to focus on exploiting the gaps in defence given Tirkey;s absence.

The headache is, of course, Rach’s, to add to the heat that took its toll on him yesterday. No Tirkey leaves India with a problem in midfield, Waseem said, ‘‘since Dilip is very good with his passes’’, and weak even when it gains a penalty corner.

Hockey might be a team game, but with Tirkey not there, Pakistan do not need a foolproof plan. The Indian defence will be manned by rookies Harpal Singh and Sandeep Singh, with goalkeeper Adrian D’Souza — the one consistent performer besides Tirkey — under tremendous pressure. Even if Pakistan play an even game, just upto their natural mark, they would have a decidedly upper hand in what promises to be the virtual ‘‘final’’ match of the series.