Pillay’s outburst

Indian skipper Dhanraj Pillay yet again was the centre of attention for his typical onfield outburst against a teammate during the match with Pakistan in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament.

Pillay, for long the mainstay of the Indian team, threw a tantrum yesterday that did not go unnoticed. The 36-year-old flung his stick down in frustration and screamed at teenager VS Vinay after a promising move that the captain had initiated broke down, even as the Pakistanis launched a counter-attack.

However, Pillay later expressed regret for his behaviour during the half time of the match, which Pakistan won 3-2.

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“Pillay realised that he was as much to be blamed for the move to be foiled by the Pakistani defence as Vinay himself,” Indian coach Harendra Singh said today.

“He is still a very special player, but it is in his nature to react on the field. So, I constantly talk to him and once he cools down, he realises his actions,” the coach said.