Indian hockey seems to be experiencing a renaissance with success at both the senior and junior levels on the international stage. However, the senior team is going through a transitional phase and the seniors are being pushed for their place by emerging youngsters. This has put experienced players in a situation wherein they have to both maintain their place in the side while also mentoring junior players.
One of them, PR Sreejesh, captain of the men's hockey team says, "It's a fresh beginning and with so many youngsters coming into the core probables, the juniors as well as seniors will really have to push for a spot in the national team.
“The juniors will need to get better and better in their skill and execution, adapt well in the camp and prove themselves that they are worthy of that position and are ready to replace a senior player. As for a senior player, he needs to match the fitness and speed the juniors bring to the table. While we know that juniors will be the future as we prepare for 2020 Tokyo Olympics, they shouldn't take it for granted that they will make it to the squad. They need to earn it."
Though the Junior Squad, who won the junior men World Cup last year, had a fabulous outing in 2016 and also played to their potential in the 2017 Coal India Hockey India league, Sreejesh feels the level of game will be entirely different in the Senior team. "These six weeks will be good exposure for them in terms of understanding the system we follow, learn how we strategize, plan and execute. Though they have seen us train closely as the junior team and we were based in the same campus almost through the year in 2016, I believe being in the system is very different from watching us train," stated the Indian goalkeeper. He also feels that this is a great opportunity for youngsters to learn as much from stalwarts like Sardar Singh, SV Sunil in the team. "Senior players like Sardar and Sunil showcase great work ethics and there's a lot the juniors can learn from them. As seniors we also have an added responsibility of mentoring the juniors and making sure they stay on track towards achieving the goals the team has set," he added.
Speaking about the new support staff, Sreejesh said that getting two former India players into the fold is a great motivating factor for the team. "Arjun (Halappa) was an attacking center forward and midfielder while Jugraj Singh was a very good defender and dragflick expert. They understand the passion, they understand the culture of the team and it's great advantage to have them as support staff. I have worked with Hans Streeder (Analytical Coach) earlier in Coal India HIl and he is a good strategist. He was also there at the Junior World Cup as part of the Dutch team and he has watched most of our players very closely and understands where they need improvement," he said.
The Indian team selection trials will be held in the following weeks to pick the final squad for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.