India need greater discipline to be the best in hockey: Sardar Singh

Former India hockey captain Sardar Singh feels India have the quality to match the best but need greater discipline and sharper man-marking to bridge the gap with European sides and Australia.

Sardar, who was part of three consecutive Asian Games medal-winning teams, including the gold-winning side at Incheon 2014, said India were on a par with their rivals in ball possession but continued to fall short in man-to-man marking. “We are up there among the best when it comes to ball possession, but what we lack is discipline in man-to-man marking. The tasks given by the coaches, both with and without the ball, are being executed correctly by players 90 per cent of the time,” Sardar told PTI on the sidelines of the Women’s India Open golf.

“But there is a big gap in man-to-man marking. You have to play more disciplined hockey to bridge that gap,” he added.

He said European teams and Australia were quick to exploit these lapses.

“Europeans take advantage in those areas. When we are good individually, why can’t we be strong as a team?” he said.

Sardar said Indian hockey had made significant strides over the past decade, with improvements in both the men’s and women’s teams, particularly in physical fitness and mental strength. He urged players to raise their game and make the most of their preparation ahead of major tournaments such as the World Cup.