A sense of disappointment is evident in coach Harendra Singh’s voice as he discusses two injury setbacks to the Indian women’s hockey team, on either end of the pitch.
As they begin their Asia Cup campaign in Hangzhou from Friday, they will be without their stalwart goalkeeper Savita Punia, and rising star forward-plus-dragflicker Deepika. Given the team’s recent fluctuating fortunes, losing two players of this importance is bound to be a setback in a tournament where World Cup qualification is at stake.
“I think this is the first time in a decade or so that we will be without Savita in goal for a major tournament. She suffered a tendon injury in her foot during Pro League and was advised 6-8 weeks of medication and rest. And Deepika’s injury was on the last day of the camp,” Harendra tells The Indian Express from China, a day before the tournament. “In the evening, it was drizzling. We had a drag flick session, and she slipped. In the left leg, the hamstring and groin both got injured.”
“Last day of camp,” he reiterates.
But the mood shifts quickly. “Rest, I think we are a really happy family. Training went well, and the time has come to deliver. Deepika’s loss is a big one but everyone is mentally prepared on how to substitute her presence.”
The team’s most recent international outing was the European leg in the Pro League, where they often ended up conceding numerous soft Penalty Corners that led to a leaky defence – Harendra had said in his post-mortem of that tour that he wasn’t happy with conceding more than 50 PCs from which 35% resulted in goals. But the team will be boosted by the comeback of defenders Udita and Nikki Pradhan – sharing a total of more than 300 caps between them – as well as Ishika Chaudhary’s return to full fitness.
“Now, I am confident with our defense,” Harendra says. “During the Pro League, I had to adjust with midfielders playing out of position. Udita and Nikki know how to hold, when to push up, and when to drop. Their experience is not easy to replace.” And so, in the camp leading up to Hangzhou, the prime objective was to become more watertight at the back. “The focus was definitely on defence that we should not give soft PCs. And if we do, we should not allow opponents to score. We worked hard on the PC defensive phase and how to avoid conceding them in the first place. Let’s try to tackle before opponents enter the circle. So, we worked on improving our 1v1 individual tackling. And since Nikki and Udita are back, the team also feels confident that we won’t be conceding easy PCs.”
Going forward, Deepika’s impact from open play can be mitigated by Sangita Kumari’s return, the speedster from Simdega was also injured during the Pro League trip to Europe. But it is from set-pieces that India are set to face the biggest challenge. Deepika was the leading scorer in Rajgir last year at the Asian Champions Trophy, and scored thrice from her much-improved drag flicks in Europe.
Harendra had identified her as the fulcrum of India’s attack and Manisha Chauhan was the designated back-up. But he informs that the latter is also not 100% fit and is not in the final 18-member squad that was finalised on the eve of the tournament. Manisha and late replacement Sakshi Rana will be two travelling reserves.
“Yes, that’s a challenge,” says Harendra of the lack of drag flickers. “But Udita is good with her low slaps and when we didn’t have a drag flicker in the past, she has played that role. The responsibility will mainly be on Navneet and Udita for PC conversion.”
Hosts China, after their sensational run to the Paris Olympics final last year under legendary coach Alyson Annan, will start the tournament as clear favourites. Harendra doesn’t want his players to get fazed by that. “If we start thinking right now about China, you are giving added pressure to the players. Which we are trying to avoid. Of course, we know they are good. But if we keep talking about the opponent. Then, somewhere in your subconscious mind, you are putting players under pressure. Which we don’t want.”
Given the relegation from Pro League, and the challenges they have faced in the lead-up to this tournament, it is not just the players who will be feeling the heat but the head coach too. “I did a PowerPoint presentation about dealing with this. What is pressure? It is something I am choosing to feel. I see it as a privilege and I have earned this place. It is applicable for both the players and me as a coach. I am fortunate to lead my country. I will take that pressure not as fear but as the fuel to ignite my energy. As must the players.”
India’s Pool B schedule (timings IST):
Friday, Sept 5: vs Thailand (12 pm)
Saturday, Sept 6: vs Japan (4.30 pm)
Monday, Sept 7: vs Singapore (12 pm)
Super 4s: Sept 10 to Sep 13
Medal matches: Sept 14
Deepika on the left and Savita Punia on right. (FILE photo) 
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