India’s drag flicker Sandeep Singh has been left out of the list of 48 core probables for Asia Cup in Malaysia which is supposed to commence next month. It might be the end of the road for the former India captain as far as the Hockey India selectors are concerned.
However, Sandeep disclosed that he was not aware of his removal. He confirmed that he hasn’t received any information from either Hockey India or the selectors, so he can't comment. The 27-year-old has made many returns, notably the famous return to the national team after being wheel chaired for approximately two years in 2006 after being accidentally shot at.
Government observer Harbinder Singh, who was one of the member of the selection panel of the probables remarked that Sandeep has had his time. He emphasized that when one has drag flickers like Rupinder Pal Singh, VR Raghunath and youngsters like Gurmail Singh, there can be hardly any place for someone like Sandeep.
To be precise, India’s lamenting performance in the recent FIH World League Round 3 (semifinals) in The Netherlands, which included Sandeep’s poor personal form, proved to have been the last nail in the coffin for the selectors.
Harbinder highlighted that Sandeep, as a defender has a lot of weaknesses. If ones attacking unit is scoring four goals and the defense is allowing five, then that is a serious problem. Ultimately, his weak defense was a loss to the team.
The selection panel felt that ushering in youngsters can be a method to march forward. Harbinder claimed that the seniors have to make way for juniors. They were not satisfied with the outcome at The Netherlands and they felt their defense and failure to convert penalty corners was the crucial reason for it.
