Exciting times are upon us, as Indian Hockey is on the rise once again. Sure, it has been a while since we dictated matters at the world stage, but the unmistakable sparkle that the team holds today is, by all means, a welcome development after some forgettable years for us involving the sport.
With India procuring second place at the recently concluded 25th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, coach Roelant Oltmans would now be looking to finalise his starting lineup before the Champions’ Trophy kicks off in London in June, post which we’ll be heading to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
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Also read: 5 things we learned from the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
A key factor in fetching the all-important goals, penalty-corners are a prime area of focus for this team. Delightfully enough, India has a handful of talented drag-flickers to choose from.
Let’s take a look at our penalty-corner specialists who could, currently, be readying themselves for the upcoming challenges:
#5 Gurjinder Singh
Gurjinder Singh had stormed into the fray for the first time in the 2012 World Series Hockey, scoring 19 goals for his side Chandigarh Comets, besides winning the title of Player of the Tournament, at the age of 17.
After a standout performance in the 2014 Champions’ Trophy, this fullback from Punjab has had a relatively quiet run in the international stage. He has, however, retained his scoring touch from penalty-corners for the Kalinga Lancers in the Hockey India League earlier this year.
With the Indian side currently enjoying notable affluence when it comes to having top-notch drag-flickers, Gurjinder might seem as an outside choice for the summer of 2016, but he’s a choice nonetheless.
#4 Jasjit Singh Kular
A versatile member of the Indian team, Jasjit Singh Kular has donned multiple hats to fulfil the requirements of his coach.
A forward who plays in midfield as well as in defence on being instructed, it is hardly a surprise that he doubles up as a handy drag-flicking option too.
His stature may not be along the lines of his burly counterparts Rupinder Pal and VR Raghunath, but his quick feet and anticipatory skills provide a combo rivals are often wary of. The go-to guy for head coach Roelant Oltmans, Jasjit appears likely to board the Olympic wagon for the multifarious values he adds to the side, today.
#3 Harmanpreet Singh
After a scintillating performance at the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia last year, the 2015 Men’s Junior Asia Cup saw a 19-year-old Harmanpreet Singh score as many as 15 goals, including 4 in the final match to seal a 6-2 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan.
His performance in the Hockey India League for his side Dabang Mumbai has been sensational as well, making his call-up to the national team all the more inevitable.
A pupil of Jalandhar’s Surjit Singh Academy, Harmanpreet was picked for the 2016 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup where he made an immediate mark. With two PC goals and a host of close chances created to his name, this promising youngster has risen to the occasion to prove his mettle in style.
Whether he makes the cut for the Rio-bound contingent remains to be seen, but Harmanpreet Singh is an undoubtedly bright prospect in the penalty corner department of India.
#2 Vokkaliga Raghunath
Charismatic fullback Vokkaliga Raghunath has been instrumental in the resurgence of Indian Hockey in the recent years. Having featured in the national side for over a decade now, Raghunath has found the net 127 times, most of which has come about from penalty corners.
Criticised for his wobbly defending at times, this veteran from Karnataka has exhibited unmatched prowess in converting from penalty-corners. Riding on his consistency, India have managed to beat every other higher ranked side they faced since 2014, including a stunning test series victory against the Kookaburras at their home turf.
Injury woes to Raghunath last year enabled his counterpart Rupinder to fill in for him at the FIH World League semi-finals in Antwerp, Belgium. With the latter feasting on this opportunity to set the stage ablaze, Indian hockey has found its deadliest defending duo who could hold the key to achieving long-awaited Olympic glory .
#1 Rupinder Pal Singh
The man of the moment. The wall. The slayer of defences. A prodigy once, Rupinder Pal Singh has gone from being Raghunath’s stand-in to India’s most complete defender within a span of two years.
A formidable figure on the field, his screamers from the edge of the circle are an opponents’ nightmare once they have conceded a penalty-corner. Be it timing, placement or the sheer speed with which he strikes, Rupinder’s execution makes him one of the best drag-flickers in the world.
Not only has he been the top scorer from India at the 2016 Hockey India League by a fair margin, his exploits at the back for his side Delhi Waveriders have also earned him the accolade of Most Valuable Player at the tournament, earlier this year.
Rupinder’s composure in the wake of pressure is a boon for the upbeat Indian side going into the momentous summer of 2016.
