Rajinder Jr to take charge as coach

This is perhaps asking for the moon. The national camp for Azlan Shah starts on Wednesday but there is no list of probables yet. While the IHF said that 34 players for the camp had been selected after the senior nationals itself (in March), they have not been named so far. ‘‘The list may be available for the media later this evening, the selectors have had a meeting on the probables,’’ said IHF media manager Anupam Ghulati.

This, in a way, sums up the line of thinking in the IHF, though most of the names select themselves, including winger Prabhjot Singh and Samir Dad (they are making a comeback).

In fact, India play an eight-nation ‘‘mini-World Cup’’ soon after the Azlan Shah. But there is no indication to suggest whether or not Rajinder would continue, although Gill has already spelt out the possibility of a change in case the team doesn’t perform well. This is not the kind of assurance the coach and a team would want before embarking on an important tournament.

Narender Pal Singh will assist Rajinder, who has been coach of PSB for three years now. Rajinder played for India from 1981 to 1985, the Dhaka Asia Cup in 1985 being his last international tournament. He also played in the 1982 Delhi Asiad and at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Besides, he had led the team to their first ever senior nationals title at Hyderabad last month. Last year he was also the coach for a developmental women’s team that played a four-nation tourney in Gifu (Japan).

Narinder, meanwhile, was the coach of winners Hyderabad Sultans in the inaugural edition of the Premier Hockey League in January. Romeo James has been named the goalkeeping coach. Rajinder will not be the first temporary hockey coach. He was preceded by Jagbir Singh, who took over after Gerhard Rach quit.

With no continuity in the management of the team, even the players are not aware of their places. ‘‘No one knows if a player will be in the team. When the coach himself is not sure of his place for more than a tournament, how can a player take his place for granted,’’ asked a player.