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Ahead of the FIH Olympic Qualifiers, Rupinder Singh, widely regarded as one of the world's best drag flickers, took to coaching the Indian women's hockey team.
The 33-year-old was called on for a five-day stint during the preparatory camp for the event, in hopes of strengthening India's penalty corner conversions, an area that the team has been significantly lacking in.
Singh himself had a gloried career before his retirement in 2021, playing a major role in India's bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Speaking to PTI on his experience working with drag flickers Gurjit Kaur and Deepika, the former fullback stated that their focus during the camp was solely on the basics.
“I didn’t want to change their style but I worked on their thinking before the match and on match situations," Rupinder said. "I mainly worked on their basics. The focus entirely was on basics."
Rupinder went on to add that both Kaur and Deepika were accomplished players, and the most important thing for them in their upcoming matches would be beating the first rusher.
“Gurjit (Kaur) and Deepika are very good drag-flickers and doing well. Both are experienced players," the veteran added. "The most important thing for a drag-flicker is to understand and execute plans on how to beat the first rusher. So, we have worked on a few variations on how to beat the first rusher during the camp.”
Rupinder Singh hopes to play in the next HIL
While Rupinder Singh might have hung up his boots when it comes to an international career, he is still attached to his sport. He is confident of his fitness, and hopes to feature in the next edition of the Hockey India League, which is set to take place either this year or in early 2025.
“I hope to play in the HIL but it depends on many factors. It is up to the teams whether they choose me or not. But I am actively training, working on my fitness,” the fullback told PTI.
In the past iterations of the HIL, Rupinder Singh was part of the Delhi Waveriders in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. The team fished as runner-up in 2013 and took home the trophy in 2014. Singh was “Player of the Tournament” at the 2016 edition, and led Delhi to the semifinals in 2017 as captain.
