Experienced forward Danish Mujtaba was appointed the new skipper of the Indian hockey team on Wednesday for the 22nd Sultan Azlan Shah Invitational Tournament even as seasoned drag-flicker Sandeep Singh was confined to the stand-byes list for the March 6-17 event in Malaysia.
Several changes have occurred in the side after the debacle of 2012 London Olympics. The poor show has resulted in some fine show at the top of the order in recent times. Coach Michael Nobbs. Meanwhile, the relegation of Singh has evoked mixed reactions from all quarters with some in favor and others against the decision.
Hockey India selector Syed Ali, chief coach Michael Nobbs and exercise physiologist Jason Konrath apart from government observer Harbinder Singh zeroed upon the list of 18 probable players and eight stand-bys by taking their recent performance into consideration in the ongoing Hero Hockey India League.
The expulsion of Singh is something unusual to explain. He is undoubtedly one of India’s best 18 players and before the 2012 Olympic Games, India coach Michael Nobbs said Sardara Singh and Sandeep were essential for India’s winning chances.
“Sardara at this point in time probably is one of the two or three best players in the world,” Nobbs said at the time. “If he plays well we will do well. On the other hand, if Sandeep scores a bagful of Penalty Corner goals that will also be the key (to our success).”
Sandeep, who is the top goal-scorer during the HIL, had been included as a stand-by in the squad for the Hero Hockey World League Round 2 to be organized in New Delhi here from February 18-24.
At the Azlan Shah, goalie PR Sreejesh will be the vice-captain of the squad which has eight forwards, five mid-fielders and three defenders.
Sushant Tirkey is the other goalkeeper who has been finalized for the final squad along with PR Sreejesh, who is the vice-Captain. Currently, the Indian hockey team is full of talent with the full-back appearing to be more robust than ever adorned with the likes of Rupinderpal Singh, Harbir Singh and Gurjinder Singh.
There have been contrasting reactions coming from Nobbs about Sandeep over the last couple of months. In December, he stressed upon the norm of the 2016 Olympics in Rio, beckoning that few players might be too old by then.
“The question we have to ask is that by picking a player now will he be available for Rio?” Nobbs said. “Will he be good enough in four years time or will he be old? Keeping that in mind, the selectors decided to build a team for the future.”
There appears to be huge potential for all the players who have been inducted into the squad currently. It now needs to be seen how crucial they will be in ensuring a fine performance at the Rio games. There are those experienced players as well who are known to ensure the finest display of game as per the requirement. Coach Nobbs has surely got a task cut out in order to lead the team to victory.
