Hockey World Cup 2018: 5 standout players for India in the pool stages

#2 Akashdeep Singh

Akashdeep Singh was not at his brilliant best at Gold Coast and missed out the Champions Trophy on account of a hamstring injury, but delighted the galleries at Jakarta with his eye-catching tomahawks in the pool matches of the Asian Games.

At the Asian Champions Trophy, at Muscat, the Indian think-tank decided to utilize Akashdeep's skills as a link-man, and the 23-year-old has displayed maturity well beyond his years to adapt to the new role just as effortlessly as he fires in the stunning reverse hits.

With three strikers lurking in the circle and waiting to latch on to Akashdeep's probing passes, the Indians have sought to convert every circle entry into either a goalbound shot or a PC - and the very fact that Harendra's boys have managed to score 12 goals in three matches is confirmation of the fact that the move has delivered results.

About the author

Subhashish has been an Indian sports journalist at Sportskeeda since 2017. He primarily covers hockey along with other Indian Sports, and endeavors to bridge the coverage gap between the multitude of Indian sports and cricket via his articles. Subhashish’s interest in Indian sports peaked after watching a few hockey and football matches live during his childhood days, and has also played Hockey, Football, Table Tennis, Badminton at school and college level.

As a journalist, he covered every single Indian hockey match at the 2018 & 2022 Commonwealth Games, 2018 & 2023 Asian Games, 2018 Women's World Cup, 2018 & 2023 Men’s World Cup and the 2021 Olympics. An interview specialist, he has conducted over 100 interviews with the Indian Men's and Women's Hockey team, and has also been part of the UK-based DesiSportsCast Podcast.

Subhashish’s favorite Indian athlete is Vandana Katariya for her relentlessness and never-say-die attitude. For him, India men's hockey team's 7-1 win over Pakistan in 2017 Hockey World League semis on the same day as India men's cricket team's loss to the same opponent in the Champions Trophy final is an iconic moment in Indian Sports history.

When not writing, he likes to spend his free time blogging, singing, jogging, and trekking.

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Edited by Alan John