Indian National Men's Hockey Team

After winning the Commonwealth Silver in front of the home crowd, the Indian Men’s Hockey team has won many a hearts overcoming many obstacles. These obstacles are largely created by the administrative lapses that are so often seen in Indian Hockey. We are constantly cautioned by the FIH inspite of their great interest in India’s success as a former world champion. It is unfortunate that we have not stood up to the expectations in the recent past.

But now that the team has won back its supporters, its eyes are firmly set on a berth in the London Olympics where they will aim to bring back lost glory.

The Indian National Men’s Hockey Team is not devoid of any individual quality, we have capable skillful players such as Rajpal Singh, Arjun Hallappa; we have quality in the attack force with Shivendra Singh and Tushar Khandkar. The most dangerous department of the team is the penalty corner work-force. We have two of the most ferocious drag-flickers in Dhananjay Mahadik and Sandeep Singh.

Here are some of the players of the Indian National Hockey Team.

1. Bharat Chetri

Bharat Chetri is now a relatively old campaigner for the Indian Team. He has been in and out of the playing team due to intense competition from Adrian D’Souza but now he seems to have made his mark. He was instrumental in winning India two penalty-shootouts in the course of reaching the final at Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Bharat Chetri is agile and especially good at intimidating penalty stroke takers. He is authoritative when guarding the net during penalty corners and makes spontaneous decisions. He has developed these faculties through a hard-fought struggle for a place in the team. Bharat Chetri is one of the strong points in this team.

2. Prabodh Tirkey

The Tirkey Family has a history in Indian Hockey, elder brothers Ignace Tirkey, Dileep Tirkey and Ansuta Tirkey have all succefully been a part of the Indian men’s Hockey Team. Dileep Tirkey and Ignace Tirkey also captained the side, even Prabodh has led the side in a few games. He has successfully followed the family tradition at the back.

Prabodh Tirkey is vital to the team as he performs the all-important tackle to instigate a quick counter attack and merges well with the mid-field. With the teams now playing increasingly aggressive games, the defence cannot be isolated from attack.

3. Sardara Singh

Sardara Singh’s game at the back in the heart of defense is characterized by his skillful runs made so as to assist the midfield in building a well composed attack if the counter fails. Sardara can be easily spotted dribbling past many a midfielders into the other half, like many a Indian players. A weakness as well as a strength of Indian players.

4. Gurbaj Singh

With 89 caps Gurbaj is now an experienced defender and a consistent performer. His defensive skills are useful to the team and he contributes equally well to the attacking prowess of the team.

5. Dhananjay Mahadik

Mahadik is India’s spare penalty corner specialist but in the words of many a critics no less threatening than Sandeep Singh. HE has scored 11 goals in his small career of 33 games. Expect a lot more from him in the coming time. His defensive abilities complement his primary role in the team.

6. Sandeep Singh

Indian Hockey’s pin-up boy in many ways along with captain Rajpal Singh. He is the face of the team. Being a penalty corner specialist par-excellence, Sandeep has scored heavily with 76 goals in 126 games. Sandeep has had a troubled time unfortunately when he was shot accidentally during a journey by train. This unfortunate incident put him off the hockey field for a period of time but he managed to make a complete comeback and is now an intyegral part of the team.

7. Arjun Halappa

Currently the team’s most capped player, Arjun Halappa is a pillar in India’s midfield. He is capable of instigating an attack from all possible directions and is suited for playing deadly ball in the scoring area.

Halappa has scored 33 goals in his career so far and is a very decorated player both domestically and otherwise.

8. Vikram Pillay

Vikram who made his national debut in 2002, is a junior world champion and a special player in many ways. His skill can break down defenses. He can pass as well as carry the ball with ease.

9. Bharat Chikara

Bharat Chikara is one of the players in the team who is now seeming to come of age. Born in 1986 this lad is now capped almost 70 games and has now set his feet in the team. Under Jose Brasa, Bharat has played to his fullest potential. He is a workhorse and makes sure that he breaks a couple of the oppositions surging attacks to convert it into a counter attack.

10. Rajpal Singh

India;s captain courageous. Rajpal Singh is a simple straightforard person on and off the field whose ambition is not just put India back on the Hockey map but to put it right on top. He is deadly with his runs into the D hugging the line and earning valuable penalty corners for the team. He is always ready to tap in the rebound or take a sudden reverse hit to get the team what matters. Goals!

11. Shivendra Singh

A rising force in the attacking half, Shivendra has a knack of being at the right place at the right time. He puts the ball in the back of the net without finching as the ball comes in with great pace from any direction. This is followed by his trademark celebration!