India146;s primary task at madrid: Replacing Dhanraj

Once again, controversy has accompanied the Indian hockey team abroad. Allegations and accusations, words exchanged between players, coach a...

Once again, controversy has accompanied the Indian hockey team abroad. Allegations and accusations, words exchanged between players, coach and federation, have now become a part of the Indian hockey system. Sad it should happen while preparing for a big event like the pre-Olympic tournament.

More so when 2003 provided the best platform for Indian hockey to prepare for the Olympics. The outstanding efforts by players and coach Rajinder Singh were translated into the posters of Gagan, Jugraj and Dhanraj and the fact that hockey was a talking point.

Every sport has its stars and that8217;s what Dhanraj is today for hockey and Gagan could be in the future. Yet hockey is a team game, and so players must discuss their problems in the dressing-room and not in public.

Lets not forget it takes time to prepare a star, only a second to dispense with him without real-sing what service he could have extended.

I admire the guts of coach Rajinder Singh in going to Madrid without Pillay, still the best attacker in the country. He would have combined with Gagan Ajit, with Deepak Thakur and Prabhjot creating openings for both of them. A good attacker is not the one who scores but one who helps or contributes in attack, resulting in goals. Pillay8217;s aggressive short bursts, the surprise dribbling past three-four defenders and playmaking role will be missing 8212; and the other effect could be Gagan Ajit less room to move because he will now be marked throughout the game.

On the brighter side, tha absence of Pillay and Jugraj now means they should be fresh for the Olympics, should India qualify. And, in any case, give the team management a chance to study alternatives.

Rajinder now faces three major challenges. One is to find an alternative to Pillay, another to find one for Jugraj. The third 8212; or maybe the first 8212; is to qualify and perform to expectations.

Story continues below this ad

The first two present a common problem while defending penalty corners. Jugraj and Dhanraj are the main rushers to save direct shots at the goalkeeper; without them, and without alternatives, Devesh will have to take the entire weight on himself.

The first match today is against Belgium. India will have to play attacking hockey, because I have realised, from experience, that this team should not be given time to settle down. A goal in the first half will surely help the Indian team find more openings; two good wins to start will bring enough relief to the team for future matches before facing the final fight.

Let8217;s for once think of even coming close to a medal after the 1980 Olympic gold. We haven8217;t repeated that because the egos of players, federation and coach get in the way. Victory in a few odd tournaments will definitely not bring Indian hockey back on a winning track but thinking alike, coordinating moves and mental framework, will definitely do.

I still remember the embarrassment of finishing at the bottom of the table in 1986 World Cup in England. Coach MP Ganesh and Kaushik then took up the challenge of reviving India8217;s fortunes. They proved it in the Olympic Games in 1988 when we were the juniormost in a combination of seniors and juniors with star forwards like Shahid willing to sit on the bench.