Indians discover golden light after 32 years in the dark

Pillay, whose mercurial temperamenthas often seem him get into trouble with coaches and federation over the years, had been smarting for months under these allegations. "I’ll show them what Dhanraj is capable of. I have two more years of world class hockey in me," he had said a couple of months back. A new coach, more freedom to play and the desire to excel have now brought out this class act from this master showman. He has even timed it to perfection, choosing the right stage — India’s won its only other gold in Asian Games hockey in Bangkok 32 years ago.

No more question marks need be against this Pune-based Tamilian. By slamming home 10 goals at Bangkok — including the equaliser in the final — Pillay has put to rest speculation regarding his waning striking prowess.

Pillay’s Bangkok performance will rank amongst his very best, up alongwith the 1995 SAF Games final victory over Pakistan and the 4-1 thrashing of the Netherlands in the pre-Olympic qualifiers in Barcelona in 1996. He gained international fame much earlier though, andwas included in the World XI side by world media for his brilliant performance in the Sydney World Cup in 1994.

He continued to be India’s chief striker over the years, though his tussle with coaches over team tactics, continued to make headlines. A thinker on the turf, and well versed with latest changes in the game, he however, found it difficult to adjust to frequent changes in the team after the Atlanta Games debacle.

The superstitious man he is, Pillay even offered his hair at Tirupati temple after he, alongwith some other seniors, were ignored for the Hamburg tournament last year. The federation soon realised its folly and reinstated Pillay early this year.

BEING the captain of a side that has started India’s revival in world hockey would give immense satisfaction to this long-haired forward, who made his debut as an inside-left in the Allwyn Asia Cup in New Delhi in 1989. It was at Shivaji Stadium at the Capital that Pillay’s honeymoon with the fans started. He was jolted out of the euphoria twoyears ago in Chennai, when he was accused of hitting a fan during the Champions Trophy after India lost a crucial match.

"The fans have given me everything. I would be dead without them. That man was abusing my family. Hockey is a team game, why blame me alone. I’m also human," a tearful Pillay had said that night, trying to come to terms with the vagaries of stardom.

From Bangkok to Sydney… a yawning chasm

The Indian hockey team is facing its biggest irony after ending a 32-year-old Asian Games gold medal drought tonight. The win has earned them a ticket to Sydney Olympics raising visions of a revival, but at the same time brought forth questions regarding the future.

The Indians have for long been trying to come out of the rut to claim their rightful place in the Elite Six, and today’s historic victory has undoubtedly made the job But soon the coaches and officials will be left scratching their heads looking for replacements for stars like Dhanraj Pillay, Mukesh Kumar, Mohammad Riaz, SabuVarkey and today’s hero, Ashish Ballal.

Barring right back Dilip Tirkey, right half Baljit Singh Saini and forward Samir Dad, most members of this winning combination are expected to call it quits in a year’s time.

While Mukesh and Sabu already look past their prime, Anil Aldrin and Riaz have been battling injuries to be match fit. They, or for that matter Ramandeep Singh and Sandeep Somesh are not getting any younger.

It may be pointed out that coach Maharaj Kishan Kaushik had laid a lot of emphasis on fitness which indeed bore fruits at Bangkok. But, it would be foolhardy to expect the ageing players to maintain the same level till Sydney 2000.

It may also sound cruel to raise doubts on a gold-lettered day for Indian hockey, but even Kaushik, who has proved to be Indian hockey’s lucky mascot — he was a member of the gold-medal winning team in 1980 Olympics, and today became the proud coach of the Asian Games gold-winning side — would agree that a second string exists only on paper.

While thetremendous show by juniors did give hope, it is a pity that only three of that lot are in the national team.

Besides, the two had already earned India blazers prior to Milton Keynes.In sharp contrast, teams like Pakistan and Germany have successfully experimented with young sides.

As several Indian coaches have pointed out, most of Indian players are brilliant in the domestic circuit, but flop miserably abroad.

Given our poor hockey infrastructure with a handful of astroturfs, dwindling pool of talent and waning public interest, the process of transition may prove to be long and painful.