Report card of Indian men's hockey team’s World League campaign
PR Sreejesh: The Kerala boy, who got married recently, was outstanding throughout the tournament. Manning a defence which consistently wilts under pressure is never easy and Sreejesh deserves all the credit. The manner in which he kept Spain at bay in the second half, nullifying as many as five short corner efforts besides other routine saves, just shows why he is such a vital cog in the team’s wheel.
PT Rao: The reserve goalkeeper kept warming the bench as the first-choice Sreejesh was in rollicking form. Rao, who had a great 34th Champions Trophy when Sreejesh was out with a hamstring injury, will have to wait for his opportunity.
Sardar Singh: He shouldered the midfield responsibility admirably, but lacked support from the other medios, which to some extent diluted his utility in that position. The world hockey knows him as one of the one of the best centre-halfs around, but questions will asked about his ability to come out all guns blazing against top teams like Australia and Netherlands, especially when the chips are down.
Vokkaliga Raghunath: The Indian vice-captain plunged to a low in the initial stages of the tournament after his phenomenal defending skills in the 34th Champions Trophy in Melbourne last year. He was not in the starting line-up in a few matches and one is not sure whether it was a tactical move by Nobbs. The burly fullback subsequently did pull up his socks and was superb in the play-off games against France and Spain. He did not regularly get penalty corner opportunities but made it count when he got them, scoring twice in the tournament.
Rupinder Pal Singh: He was a pale shadow of the fullback he was at the 34th Champions Trophy and the 22nd Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. He kept committing repeated blunders inside the Indian ‘D’, either getting dispossessed or conceding penalty corners. However, he was pretty good with his short corners, twice slamming home in the tight game against Ireland, including a face-saving goal for India to avoid an ignominious defeat.
Harbir Singh: The Uttar Pradesh Wizards defender got limited opportunities to show his wares, but when he was on the pitch, looked assured in defence. He needs to work on his temperament – needlessly he earned the wrath of the umpire during the quarterfinal against Australia in an off-the-ball incident and was suspended for the game against France.
Sandeep Singh: The comeback story of the Haryana DSP was a tad disappointing. Sandeep mostly played in an overlapping position and spent less time guarding the Indian citadel. He failed to register a single penalty corner goal in the tournament; though he looked like scoring one against France, it was disallowed by the third umpire following a video referral. His lone bright spark is the goal-creating cross for Mandeep Singh in the game against Spain.
Birendra Lakra: A big disappointment for India. The talented midfielder looked out of sorts in defence and sprayed a lot of mispasses besides getting repeatedly dispossessed. Considered a key player of the side, he was rested for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup but he will be dejected with his showing in Rotterdam.
Manpreet Singh: He has been one of the most improved players in recent times. The midfielder not only rushes forward with conviction but also throws himself around as if his life is depended on it. He is also a key figure during penalty corner situations in the Indian ‘D’ – his goal-line save against France is a striking example of that.
Kothajit Singh: The Manipuri lad had a quiet tournament. He did not have extended stints on the pitch for reasons best known to Nobbs. He scored a crucial third goal against New Zealand but beyond that he had little else to show for.