Indian hockey can dare to dream

With the starting blocks still vacant, predicting a podium finish for India in the race for the 25th Champions Trophy would amount to jumpin...

With the starting blocks still vacant, predicting a podium finish for India in the race for the 25th Champions Trophy would amount to jumping the gun. But there are some definite signs that allow the Indian fans back home the luxury of dreaming about it. What lends credence to this thinking is the never-before-level of form and fitness and, above all, the lucky mascot in coach Rajinder Singh that Dhanraj Pillay’s boys have in their midst.

It this former India forward who won us a bronze when he scored a hat-trick against Pakistan 21 years ago at the same venue in the same tournament and to this day India haven’t been able to match that result.

‘Germans no pushovers’

The curiosity of a new-look German team is all too pervasive at the team hotel. The enthusiasm in the young bunch is seen to be believed. After all, team has a point to prove, particularly to those who are considering it as a pushover, and more so to FIH (the international hockey federation), which raised an objection for not fielding a senior team. On the eve of their first match, the young guns preferred to play their cards close to the chest even while chalking out their plans for the challenge against the likes of the Dutch, the Australians and even the Indians, whose resurgence has been the most discussed topic, of late. But Indian coach Rajinder Singh is not the one to take them lightly. He believes the Germans are capable of causing a few upsets in the tournament. ‘‘I have seen them in action. Their youngsters are very good and they are no pushovers. My feeling is that they have the benefit of having a young team and their enthusiasm will be an added advantage. I won’t be surprised at all if they ruffle a few feathers during the tournament,’’ said Rajinder.

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But the Indian coach is not quite keen to harp on his ‘lucky mascot’ image and stresses more on the strength of his boys. ‘‘During my playing days our team did have better skills but the present bunch is much stronger in other areas.’’

He mentioned how the Indian players have learnt to adapt themselves to the new changes in the rules and technique, and certainly much fitter than the teams of past. ‘‘Fitness is definitely one area where we have shown tremendous change and that helps us to take advantage of the rolling-substitution rule,’’ Rajinder said.

Besides, in the last one year the team has crossed the all-important mental-barrier that had been haunting the Indian teams in every sporting sphere: beating Pakistan in an important tournament. ‘‘Pakistan is no longer an issue with us since we have defeated them in a number of tournaments, of late,’’ he said.

Rajinder also pointed out that India need to look beyond the subcontinental neighbours. ‘‘If we look only at Pakistan, we are not going to improve. Our aim should be to beat the European teams. That is what we will look for in Amsterdam.’’

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The coach’s words definitely make sense since Pakistan with their string of controversies and slipshod performances are certainly not among the favourites. The main threat comes from the European teams and the Australians and if the Indians want to make an impact then they should get over their Pakistan fixation.

And with India winning two titles in the last three months in tournaments which had teams like world champion Germany, runners-up Australia, Spain and Argentina, Rajinder’s hopes are justified.

The positive attitude of the coach, too, has rubbed on to the players. India’s ace defender Dilip Tirkey said that they seemed to have cracked the formula of beating teams like Holland and Germany. ‘‘Traditionally, the Europeans concentrate on fitness and penalty corners to beat us. The only way we can win against them is by playing tight hockey and giving away nothing,’’ he said.

The confidence is showing in other areas like goalkeeping. Indian goalkeeping coach and former international AB Subbaiah said that the team has been able to perform better in recent times since Devesh Chauhan has been given more opportunity. ‘‘The goalkeeper of the team needs assurance that he is good. Devesh is having his opportunities and that’s why he is mentally strong to face any opposition,’’ said Subbaiah.

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But before one gets carried away by the hype, there is a word of caution. In modern hockey a mistake or two at crucial junctures came make the dream go sour.

Indian hockey is certainly looking up with the recent spate of good results and the eight-year sponsorship deal. But, like every hockey follower in the country, Rajinder has been around for long to have witnessed quite a few false dawns.

‘‘We have goofed it up (winning medals) so many times before. But hopefully, this time we should get there,’’ he signed off with a mysterious smile.