CHENNAI: It’s been two weeks since the fifth season of the Hockey India League started, and Dabang Mumbai are the surprise contenders, second in the table with 18 points. Defending champions Punjab Warriors languish near the bottom, while usual suspects Kalinga Lancers and Ranchi Rays are placed first and third, respectively. Whatever be the moods in the teams, one person is definitely happy to be a part of the action.
Gurbaj Singh is finally enjoying life without the controversies that have plagued him over the past few years. And with his team — Ranchi — doing well, it is the icing on his cake. “We’ve been playing well this season. Working on past mistakes has been a big help, and we’ve struck a good understanding with one another. I had said before as well that we came together with the aim of winning this league, and nothing will be better than achieving that,” he told Express on Friday.
“It’s a team game, and I don’t want to make this about myself. I’m enjoying playing with this group, and personally, it’s about taking it match by match. I just follow whatever plan is set by the coach for the team and for me every game.
“The aim is to always give my 110 per cent each match to ensure that my team goes all the way,” added Gurbaj, when asked what he had taken away personally over the past fortnight.
The 28-year-old was also of the opinion that the ‘two points per field goal’ rule was a good change. “Yes. Teams nowadays depend a lot on penalty corners. But this rule of awarding two points for a field goal will help bring more strikers into play, while also making things interesting tactics-wise. I can’t comment on whether it will one day be implemented in international matches, as that falls under the jurisdiction of the FIH. Same with the ‘15 minutes per quarter’ rule, which is also under trial.”
Gurbaj also felt that hockey was slowly taking over the audience in Ranchi. “MS Dhoni (his team’s owner) is always supporting us, whether he is able to make it to the games or not. But, interest among people is surely rising, and it is visible from the numbers that attend the games and the way they approach the sport. Plus, youngsters are gradually taking up the game, which is good news for the region.”
raviiyer@newindianexpress.com