Pillay in Maratha Warriors think-tank

Dhanraj Pillay will be seen back in action on the hockey turf...

Dhanraj Pillay will be seen back in action on the hockey turf—not as a player but as a ‘Technical Expert’ with the Marartha Warriors, during the Premier Hockey League this year.

Despite having been miffed about the Indian Hockey Federation not including senior players in this year’s league, he looks forwards to his stint from the sidelines.

“I am ready to share my experiences with the team and offer the best I can. I will be in Chandigarh with the team for a few days,” he said.

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The multi-Olympian said he has been following the Maratha Warriors’ training sessions. “I am glad the team’s defence is tough but when it comes to the forward line, it seems a bit shaky. But with the presence of Shivendra Singh and Bharat Chikara, I am sure the team can pull it off,” he said.

The Bombay Hockey Association secretary Keher Singh said Pillay’s presence would be a big boost for the team.

The Maratha Warriors’ chief coach Clarence Lobo was elated to have Pillay by his side. “It’s a boon. The forward line can learn a lot from him. He has been helping the boys in finishing and also teaching them about mistakes the players commit in the ‘D’. He has been a Mumbai boy and it is our pleasure to utilise his expertise,” said Lobo.

But Pillay still regrets that he wouldn’t be in action on the field. “It is unfortunate that the IHF does not want me to play with the rule of age bar. I am personally of the opinion that with this rule, hockey loving audience will miss players like Baljit Singh Dillon, Baljit Singh Saini, Sabu Varkey and myself.”