The Indian hockey team are fresh off their penultimate tournament before the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro this August, and finished the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia in second behind Australia. The Kookaburras dominated the tournament, going undefeated to take their ninth Sultan Azlan Shah title.
The teams will likely meet again at the Champions Trophy in Spain this June prior to the Games, but we learned some crucial facts about the squad at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup:
India need keepers: Side is seriously lacking in the absence of PR Sreejesh
Star Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh is known as the Wall of Indian hockey, and it’s not without reason. The 28-year-old has been an integral part of the team's defence in their international outings, and was part of the squad that won silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
At the 2014 Hockey Champions Trophy, Sreejesh was judged ‘Goalkeeper of the Tournament for his skills; unfortunately, that has also meant the side has suffered in his absence.
With 2016 an Olympic year, the Indian vice-captain chose to sit out the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup to train and rest ahead of the Games. That meant that India faltered in his absence; he was replaced by young goalkeeper Akash Chikte, who does not have the impenetrable defensive skills of his much senior teammate. That also meant India conceded a goal in every match they played at the tournament, and lost out on easy defending opportunities.
While Sreejesh – for whom this will be his second Olympic appearance, will be part of the contingnet that goes to Rio this August. But it is worrying that India do not have the level of his keeping talent should he be unable to play a match, or suffer injury on a stage such as the Olympics, where every victory counts. His absence, even for a single game, could prove costly for an otherwise talented team that features in the world’s 10 best hockey teams.
Defense needs to be a key area of work
India’s attack has been very strong at this year’s Sultan Azlan Shah cup, with some of its new talent proving both tenacious and aggressive. With captain Sardar Singh taking charge in every way and leading from the front, India’s strikers have been attacking their rivals significantly this year.
Taking the bull by the horns, both the team’s young and old talent have taken on rivals head-on, and even looked strong in an attacking stance against the top-ranked Australia at this year’s Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
That will stand them in good stead going into the Olympic Games, given they are ranked 7th in the world and will take on teams much stronger than themselves at the tournament. Some of the team’s younger players and newest additions have, in particular, shown their mettle at the tournament, and will strengthen India’s medal hopes at the Olympics should they be able to continue in the same vein against higher-ranked opponents.
Promising youth: India’s hockey future in safe hands
The Indian hockey side’s youngest talents have been the stars of the squad this year. After impressing at the Hockey India League, Harmanpreet and Talwinder have in particular been impressive.
Under the leadership of Sardar Singh, who was once himself one of Indian hockey’s youngest, brightest stars, the youngest players have flourished. Sardar, who has been around the block and understands firsthand the pitfalls and work that goes into the sport, especially at such a young age, is also the best leader to nurture their talent.
He praised them following the conclusion of the cup, telling assembled press "We came here with a team comprising several young players with an eye on the future," said the Indian captain, reflecting on this outing.
"That purpose has been accomplished. These youngsters have gained tremendous experience against some top international teams," he said.
Coach Roelant Oltmans had also specifically chosen to include several junior and young players on the team, with a purview to giving their talent exposure and ensuring a focus on picking the best Olympic squad possible.
That strategy appears to have paid off; although India crumbled in an embarrassing loss to an attacking Australia in the final, the youngest players in the team – including new goalkeeper Akash Chikte – have proven they have what it takes to be part of international competition.
Australia continue their hockey domination
Australia had already won a staggering eight medals at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, missing out to the Black Sticks, New Zealand’s hockey side in the final last year – even taking that to penalties.
This year, they progressed to the finals without losing a single match. Their attack has been entirely unparalleled, with their playing XI completely decimating any attack and pulverising the defense of each team on command. That was evident in their demolition of India in the final, with the men in blue let down by their own in the second half against the ruthless power of Australia’s attackers.
Winning a ninth title at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Australia look in fine form going into the Rio Olympics. They had a medal at the last games too, although not the metal they would have liked – with the men’s team finishing with Bronze.
The team have nine medals at the Olympics, with one gold, three silver and five bronze, winning gold at the 2004 Games in Athens. After thundering performances at this year’s Sultan Azlan Shah Cup – and a significant contribution by Australian internationals at the Hockey India League in 2015, the side look in prime form to win another Olympic medal – this time, top prize. Given they are top-ranked and every single aspect of their side is at an equally high level, it looks for now as though Australia will run away with Olympic victory.
India need to guard against complacency
The side may have taken a couple of victories, with their best against Pakistan, but apart from that have not been at the level they ought to have been this time around. The second-highest ranked team in the tournament behind Australia, India should not have struggled as they did against a World No. 9 New Zealand side. The Black Sticks did not have a particularly strong defense at all, with the team having conceded in every game of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup.
At the teams’ meeting in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, it was the Black Sticks, reigning champions at the Cup, who were fresh off a loss to arch-rivals Australia, with India coming into the match on the back of a 5-1 victory over their own nemeses, Pakistan.
Given this, India should have been able to carry that immense momentum into the match against New Zealand. But the team got too comfortable in their win over Pakistan, and were not at 100% effort in their try against the Black Sticks, who had an uncharacteristically strong attack on the day.
They would take a 1-0 lead against India, with Sardar Singh’s men failing to capitalize on a number of penalty corners. Although Mandeep Singh scored for India in the third quarter, it was an equaliser India would not be able to hold on to for very long; New Zealand scored again and their rivals were completely unable to make up. That win would have found them a direct spot to the finals – and, more importantly, confidence and momentum going into it.
Even their opening match in the tournament – against 16th- ranked Japan was not a straightforward affair, as India would have liked it to have been. Although India won 2-1, they showed significant lapses – including missing out on easy scoring opportunities. The side should also have been able to stave off a Japanese attack, but conceded.
In the final, too, after a strong first half, with India’s attack looking in good form and in a position to up the ante, they lost out in the second to eventually be steamrolled by the Kookaburras.
India are an extremely strong side but will need serious work in remaining grounded on the back of good games in addition to working on specific areas if they are to be in Olympic contention in Rio this year.
