Hockey India rid themselves of the unwelcome ‘minnows’ tag over the
preceding few years, but with the latest silver medal at the prestigious
FIH Champions Trophy 2016, they are now a formidable force that can
give any national side a run for their money in the international arena.
As the world takes notice, it’s time to get acquainted with our best
players who fired on all cylinders to help India pull off the impressive
feat.
Therefore, let us take a look at five of the key men who
made the biggest difference for India with outstanding performances that
swung the tide their way at London’s Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis
Centre:
#1 Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh – Goalkeeper
Words
fall short in trying to describe P R Sreejesh’s contribution behind
India’s historic Champions Trophy 2016 silver. After sitting out the
Sultan Azlan Shah Trophy in April, ‘The Wall’ of Indian hockey arrived
in London to lead the national team in the absence of skipper Sardara
Singh. As it panned out, his relentless guarding of the woodwork was the
priciest asset for India en route to their 2nd-place finish.
Germany,
Britain, Belgium and Korea – each of them felt the pangs of frustration
when countless well-worked chances were parried away to safety by the
ever-vigilant Sreejesh. Although India conceded 4 against Australia in
their last group fixture, it was the same match that saw the Kerala man
convincingly shielding four successive PCs directed goalward.
Sixty
minutes of tenacious goalkeeping to earn a clean sheet in the
gold-medal match led to a tie-break in which Sreejesh blocked the
Australians twice – but some controversial umpiring rendered his heroics
futile. If India are to achieve ultimate glory in Rio, it is this
outstanding performer who will be required to deliver unyieldingly
#2 Mandeep Singh – Forward
When
Hockey India first announced their team for the 36th edition of the
Champions Trophy, quite a few eyebrows were raised at the exclusion of
seasoned campers like Ramandeep Singh and Rupinder Pal Singh. With the
veterans given some much-needed rest ahead of the Olympics, how the
decisive goals would arrive for India left a big question mark – the
answer to which was impeccably provided by young striker Mandeep Singh.
The
Surjit Academy graduate from Jalandhar turned only 21 in January this
year, the portentous Olympic year. However, not a hint of inexperience
was visible when he took control around the opponents’ back line in the
very first game against defending champions Germany; not to forget,
Mandeep was marked by a defence that has won back-to-back golds in the
latest Olympics. It was hardly a deterrent since the Punjab forward
scored India’s second of three goals to help snatch one point from the
opening game.
He then starred in the win against Great Britain,
drawing first blood for India, completely against the run of play.
Incidentally, his tally of three field goals in the tournament stands as
the highest number to have been scored from open play at the Queen
Elizabeth Olympic Park meet.
#3 Harmanpreet Singh – Fullback
Unlike
his fellow 21-year-old Mandeep who had earned his first international
cap as early as 2013, Harmanpreet Singh
had to toil for months before the selectors could be convinced of his
senior-team readiness. But when he did receive the call-up before
the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2016, he grabbed the opportunity with both
hands and has been unstoppable since.
The
able fullback who doubles up as a handy drag-flicker within India’s
ranks found the net in the very first match against the Germans. Known
for having the calmest of heads on his shoulders, Harmanpreet was then
entrusted with India’s penalty stroke against Great Britain which he
slotted home with ease to ensure the first victory fo the Blueshirts in
London.
His all-round performance throughout the Champions Trophy
2016 fetched him, quite deservingly, the Best Junior Player Of The
Tournament award. What we’re eager to see now is for young
Harmanpreet to continue his brilliant form deep into the month of August
when India’s Olympic campaign flags off at Rio.
#4 Somwarpet V Sunil – Forward
Coach
Roelant Oltmans had meant business when he emphasised on the vitality
of striking a healthy balance between the spirited youngsters and the
Indian team’s veterans ahead of the Rio Olympics 2016. India’s excellent showing at the 2016 Champions Trophy can hence be directly attributed to his endeavours.
Ever
since the responsibility of vice-captain was bestowed upon SV Sunil’s
shoulders, the gifted attacker has shown much more consistency with the
stick when he’s out there in national colours. London was no exception,
where the Karnataka forward started making an impact, from the very
first game.
Re-establishing his name amongst the fastest players
to adorn the game today, Sunil forayed into the final third with
lightning fast sprints that left defenders with little choice other than
to watch helplessly or cut him out illegally and picking up suspensions
in the process. He delivered game-changing assists against Germany,
Great Britain and Korea, besides scoring one himself to put India in the
driver’s seat against the East Asian country that later proved crucial
in effecting a maiden 2nd-place standing for his country.
#5 Vokkaliga R Raghunath – Fullback
Vokkaliga Ramachandra Raghunath
has risen through the ranks to instate himself as one of the deadliest
drag-flickers in World Hockey today. It is through his stick that a
mammoth 129 goals have come India’s way, including the tournament opener
against Germany on the first day.
Often criticised for his
defensive lapses, Raghunath’s return to international hockey proved all
the more delightful when his imposing presence at the back foiled
numerous incisive movements by top sides like Germany and Belgium. Given
the number of penalty corners India conceded, a decent conversion ratio
by the oppositions would’ve had the Men-in-Blue staring at a
bottom-of-the-table finish in London.
Apart from keeping out
goalward cracks from stirring the scoresheets, Raghunath pitched in with
two penalty corner strikes. However, his gritty show in the goalless
finale against World No. 1 Australia will go down as one of the most
memorable examples of tight defending in the face of unforgiving
adversity.
Vokkaliga Ramachandra Raghunath
has risen through the ranks to instate himself as one of the deadliest
drag-flickers in World Hockey today. It is through his stick that a
mammoth 129 goals have come India’s way, including the tournament opener
against Germany on the first day.
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