Indian hockey is lacking a playmaker, says former captain Baskaran

The decrepit state of our national sport could be likened to that of a rudderless ship venturing into rough seas unprepared for the choppy waters or that of a wobbly aircraft careening into a tailspin leaving everyone on board despairing and fulminating. 

That litany of unending woes is a ‘happy’ thing of the past, if you go by the words of former India coach and the last captain to have led the team to gold at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, V Baskaran. “I have faith in the current squad’s potential. The side is brimming with confidence. However, the squad could do with a playmaker to complement captain Manpreet Singh. That is a crucial position and this is where I have been mightily impressed with the impact the English player Barry Middleton has had on his side. Chinglensana Singh is effective but he is more defensive and is carrying out the task he has been assigned to,” analysed the 67-year-old. 

Another aspect that Baskaran feels is in urgent requirement of a remedy is to find a suitable understudy to the injured goalkeeper PR Sreejesh. Baskaran adds that fitness is one more issue that should be accorded its due attention if India is to do well in the 16-team World Cup next year. Baskaran, who has been a major proponent of appointing Indians as the national team coach in the past has, for a change, changed tack and has been outspoken in his support of the incumbent Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne, backing the 43-year-old to restore the lost pride.

“I strongly feel that coaches should be given a fouryear contract. That will help bring stability and also enable the coach to get the players to play according to his vision. Constant chopping and changing will do no good in the larger scheme of things. Marijne made a good start to his regime winning the Asia Cup and although the team looked off-colour in the group stages of the Hockey World League, it bounced back well in the defeat of Belgium,” added Baskaran. 

Put on the spot of making a prediction for the HWL final on Sunday, Baskaran had a surprise in store saying that either Australia or Germany would be the favourite to win. “Although Argentina is the reigning Olympic champion, I’m not convinced with its standard of defence. If Germany reaches the final, it will be a cakewalk for it. Australia may struggle a bit but eventually it should prevail,” predicted Baskaran.