A lifeline for Rupinder Pal Singh

Rupinder Pal Singh

A lot of eyebrows were raised when Rupinder Pal Singh was dropped from the original 18-member squad for the upcoming FIH Men’s Hockey World League (HWL) semi-finals to be held in Brasschaat, Belgium from June 20 to July 5. But a hamstring injury to drag-flicker Vokkaliga Raghunath has thrown an eleventh-hour lifeline to Rupinder Pal Singh as the burly fullback comes back as cover for the injured drag-flicker.

There have been mild whispers that Rupinder hasn’t been in the best of form in recent times, both in terms of converting penalty corners and holding fort in defence, though the team management stopped short of calling Rupinder’s axing a result of poor form and stressed on the word ‘experimenting’ ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Of course, nobody wishes injuries on team-mates, Rupinder must be glad that he will get another opportunity to earn his place in the side back.

“He (Rupinder Pal Singh) is a hard-working lad and I’m sure he will be extra determined to prove that he deserves his spot in the side. No player likes to be out of the side,” said a former selector.

Meanwhile, the Indian hockey coach Paul Van Ass has sounded out that Rupinder will not be utilized in defence, but played elsewhere – a tactic that sounds interesting.

The bottom line is – due to Raghunath’s injury, Rupinder is the lone drag-flicker in the side – with the likes of Gurjinder Singh and Harmanpreet Singh not being picked in the side, Van Ass will have to fall back on Rupinder for short corners no matter what position he is fielded.

Rupinder should take this opportunity with both hands and prove Van Ass’s decision to drop him from the initial squad fort the HWL semis wrong.