CHENNAI: Over the previous seasons of the Hockey India League (HIL), the most consistent team has perhaps been Delhi Waveriders. For naysayers, here’s the clincher. They are the only team to finish on the podium all four seasons. Ranchi Rays/Ranchi Rhinos and Punjab Warriors also did well, managing three podium places each.
One of the ever-present cogs in this consistency displayed by Delhi has been Rupinderpal Singh. A key player for every team he plays for, the India defender has had a brilliant few years with the national side. That was one of the reasons he was handed the captain’s armband this season. The 26-year-old feels honoured.
“I only found out that I’d be captain of Delhi when I got together with the team for the camp. It’s a great honour, and I’ll do my best to take Delhi all the way. With the Indian team, even though on paper it may be PR Sreejesh or Sardar Singh or me as captain, we all know our duties and roles, so the captain’s work becomes easier.
“The same will apply with Delhi, but I want to make sure that everyone is on the same page and no one brings about any negative energy or the wrong atmosphere into the dressing room. Also, while on field, if the team is down on morale or underperforming, it’ll be my task to ensure we step up and play the way we want to,” noted Rupinder.
Last season, after a strong start, Delhi tailed off to finish third, and Rupinder said the team has worked on fixing mistakes. “Preparations have been going well, and we’re looking to improve from last season. The team has been trained together for some time, and that has helped us gel and work on strengths and weaknesses.
“It’s true that we underperformed as a team in 2016. That was something we looked at. We analysed what went wrong, and are working on eradicating those shortcomings,” the penalty-corner specialist noted.
This season as well, field goals will count as two, and Rupinder felt this would be more challenging for those of his ilk. “Teams nowadays play with the aim of getting penalty corners. And this rule is a good way to ensure that field goals are given as much priority. It also makes the job of penalty-corner specialists like me harder. We may score one, but a field goal for the opposition means we are on the back foot. This will make matches more interesting,” noted the Punjab lad.
With the road to the World Cup, to be held in Bhubaneswar in 2018, starting with the HIL, it means more foreign players in the league as well. This only means one cannot miss out on the action.
raviiyer@newindianexpress.com