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First, the plaudits, and there were many:

Maurits Hendrik, coach of the Dutch Olympic gold-winning team of 2000, feels that the two teams had not played a match of such quality against each other in the last 10 years

• Former German coach Horst Wein gushed that ‘‘Asian style is the real hockey’’
• One of the best compliments came from India’s Latin American bogey, Argentina, whose former assistant coach Jorge Dabanch said it was ‘‘the best match that I have ever seen in my life’’

Back to reality. Because though former Indian captain Pargat Singh says that ‘‘attacking hockey is good for creating public interest and marketing the game’’, and even though Indian chief coach Rajinder Singh believes the Indian team should play its traditional game to survive in the world pitch, there is a feeling among the wise men abroad that it must adapt to a changing world.

As Hendrik says, ‘‘Indians cannot deny their culture, they should play their traditional skillful hockey, just like the Dutch stick to their own style. But they also have to recognise and adapt certain aspects according to the changing nature of the game.’’

The best bet, he says, is a blend of different styles, something he says most European teams have managed. ‘‘The Australians have a rich blend of their own style with skill and, since 1995, the Dutch have been playing mixed hockey. Among the Asian countries, Korea was the first one to recognise the need of turf (astroturf) hockey but the subcontinental powers—India and Pakistan—are doing it only now’’, says Hendrik.

The proof that the blending works lies in the skillful forwards these countries have produces recently: Dutchmen Stephen de Ween and Tuen de Nooijer, Aussie Jamie Dwyer and Oliver Domke of Germany. ‘‘It will be an insult to say that these players were not top-class, highly-skilled players’’, Hendrik says.

The problem with Indian hockey is that it hasn’t changed fast enough with the rest of the top teams, especially tactically in penalty corners and long-term planning. Former Indian Olympian Jagbir Singh agrees that Indian hockey has remained in one place for too long. ‘‘Except India, all the other countries have accepted modern hockey.’’

‘‘Mixed hockey is the solution for India. All the players should attack and defend according to need’’, says his former captain Pargat Singh. The main problem with Indian hockey, he feels, is that it lacks proper planning. ‘‘Our game should reflect international changes. But it doesn’t today. We are still not sure which brand of hockey we should be playing.’’

What’s needed to achieve this blend, says Hendrik, is a system to ensure proper grooming of players. ‘‘Some of the players in the team, like penalty corner expert Jugraj Singh, can with proper support be among the best in the world. But the internal organisation has not helped the team. It is a shame for Indian hockey’’, he says.

India needs to plan better, says German coach Wein. All teams, except India, give proper pre-set instructions to players. ‘‘Indian players are not as good readers of the game as are the European players. They may be the best in dribbling but that’s not enough. They need to be told when to use their skills’’, he says. ‘‘Playing effectively, rather than what may appear attractive to fans, should be the aim.’’

It’s not just players, says Hendrik; coaches count too. ‘‘Look at me. I was groomed for six years by the Dutch Hockey Association right from the club level. It took that long to lead the Dutch team to an Olympic gold. Indian coaches are changed so frequently that it is not possible for them to work effectively.’’

However, he’s all praise for current Indian coach Rajinder Singh and feels that the team has a lot of talent but needs good backing. ‘‘They seem to be in the right hands now. All eleven players played total hockey against Pakistan, attacking and defending both. I haven’t seen the Indians play with so many innovations’’, he says.

Probably that’s why the Indians have been the surprise team at the Champions Trophy in Cologne. They showed the imagination and attacked through counters against European powers Netherlands, Germany and Australia but saving their artistry and open attacks for the match against their main rival.

And it proved to be an ‘‘effective’’ amalgamation of both styles.