Come Monday, Indian men’s hockey team will take on 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympic gold medallists Germany to start the Invitational Six Nations Cup at Spain’s Valencia.
Featuring Germany, Argentina and Ireland, this event will provide India with a welcome opportunity to get familiarised with the very nations they will face in their Pool B matches at Rio Olympics in August. Spain and New Zealand being the other two sides, the Men in Blue will, therefore, not be taking this series lightly under any circumstances.
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Encouraging for India will be the return of big names like Rupinder and Sardara Singh into the 20-member squad that has been announced. With Harmanpreet and Harjeet included again, coach Roelant Oltmans makes it clear that he is aiming for the perfect mix of talented senior and junior players to fire for India.
Let us now take a look at 5 such players who could be key for a positive Indian show:
#5 Ramandeep Singh
In the upcoming tournament, India’s leading top scorer at the recently concluded Champions Trophy 2016 Mandeep Singh makes way for Ramandeep, who had been rested by coach Roelant Oltmans after a long and hectic hockey schedule continuing up to the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia this April.
A dependable forward amongst the Indian ranks today, Ramandeep Singh has made quite a name for himself by scoring vital goals at critical junctures that have propelled India to favourable results in crunch matches. Having featured in the senior side on 67 occasions, he makes a fearsome attacking duo with SV Sunil and gets himself at positions where India look more likely to score off the chances created – which will again be desired this week at Valencia.
#4 Birendra Lakra
Hockey fans across the whole nation were able to heave a sigh of relief on seeing star defender Birendra Lakra named in the Indian side for the Six Nations Tournament after a worrying few months out of action.
The ace fullback from Jharkhand with 123 international appearances to his name was compelled to undergo a ligament reconstruction surgery in his right knee earlier this year. In his absence, the depleted squad looked shaky at the back on several instances and in turn conceded way too many penalty corners that would keep multiplying the pressure.
After a tenacious fightback to match-level fitness, it’s essential for Lakra to regain his exemplary form so as to solidify the defensive unit once again for India.
#3 Talwinder Singh
Talwinder Singh has established himself as a key attacker for the Indian team with his deft touches and smart movements inside the opponents’ area.
Once Talwinder finds himself in possession, chances are created more frequently for India in the form of quick exchanges and penalty corners. Head coach Oltmans has certainly put a lot of faith in this 22-year-old lately, as has been evident from his inclusion in the starting lineup more often than not across the past few events.
Should Talwinder succeed in weaving the magic once again in Valencia, India’s run-up to Rio will receive a definite boost to place them in an ideal spot with a month to spare.
#2 Manpreet Singh
Manpreet Singh completed 150 appearances for the Indian hockey team during the course of the recently concluded Champions Trophy.
A passionate player, Manpreet defines versatility when he takes the field with the stick in his hand. Besides donning the role of an anchor in midfield, he is the one to inject the ball from the sidelines for the drag-flickers to have their way, every time there’s a penalty corner won. It is through his stick that numerous goals have been set up for India against the fiercest of opponents.
Playing as a halfback, he also provides inch-perfect passes, long and short ones alike to the strikers to try and capitalise on the space on offer – something we’re eager to see him continue in the approaching fixtures.
#1 Rupinder Pal Singh
The unyielding defensive unit that restricted the prolific Australians from scoring a single goal in the entire 60 minutes of gameplay had let as many as four slip through, in the preceding match of the Champions Trophy 2016. Clearly, not the best show of consistency that a world class outfit seeks to achieve.
To address such issues and also to bolster the conversion figures from penalty corners – comes Rupinder Pal Singh, back to the senior team after getting some much-needed rest. The 25-year-old fullback possesses the power to bludgeon the ball from the spot; and coupled with the veteran Raghunath, his presence makes India’s drag-flick department deadliest in the world today.
Apart from the usual, Rupinder will also be required to aid the back-line in conceding as few penalty-corners as possible.
