FIH Hockey World League 2017 – 5 Indian players who can make an impact

With the final stage of the FIH Hockey World League just around the corner, expectations are high for the host country India. As Dutchman Sjoerd Marijne takes charge of the team, the wheels will be set in motion for the World Cup next year that incidentally is happening in Odisha as well.

Marijne might have gotten off to a positive start as India won the Asia Cup, but this time India are facing the top 8 teams in the world and will be Marijne’s biggest test. Their group is a tough one with them having to play stalwarts like Australia, England and Germany right from the word go.

With the Asian and Commonwealth Games down the road, this will be an important first step for India to show that they are a threat in the world scene. Let us take a close look at the five players who can help India define its future standing.

#1 Manpreet Singh

When Manpreet Singh took over the Indian Hockey team, a frequent grouse was the slow pace of their game. Under his leadership, the team has been shaping up well and shows signs of being faster with the captain himself acting as the lynchpin between attack and defence.

His speciality lies in the great commitment shown to the team and the sport. Taking over from Sardar Singh, Manpreet proved in the recently-concluded Asia Cup that he has what it takes to play in the midfield as well. Having already made a good impression in his tenure as captain, his leadership will prove instrumental in the matches to come.

#2 Harmanpreet Singh

In answer to India’s recent penalty conversion woes comes Harmanpreet Singh. The young drag-flicker filled in the absence of Rupinder Pal admirably, scoring many goals for the team. The top-scorer for the country in the Asia Cup, Harmanpreet has made a name for himself as a penalty corner specialist.

Notably, nearly all his goals in the tournament came from penalty corners. While India seemed to struggle with their conversion, he was key in turning it around. With impressive defensive skills to back it up, his performance was crucial to India conceding the least number of goals in the tournament.

#3 Rupinder Pal Singh

In a big boost to the morale of the squad, Rupinder Pal Singh returns from injury. India’s first choice drag-flick specialist is expected to help the team on various fronts. Whether it be penalty corner conversions, goal-scoring or maintaining a strong defence, Rupinder seems ably suited to the task.

His last appearance for the team was in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup before he was forced to take five months off due to a hamstring injury. While he might not be training as strongly as before, his return means that India now have another drag-flick option and a vital player of experience and quality.

#4 Dipsan Tirkey

Hailing from Odisha, hometown boy Dipsan Tirkey returns to his roots for the Hockey World League Final. Despite being the youngest member of the squad, the 19-year-old defender has not shown any sign of nerves so far and has shown himself to be one of India’s best defenders.

Having performed admirably in the Asia Cup and in Europe, he will now play in front of his home crowd in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. This has been known to get the best out of him, as observed from his performance with the Kalinga Lancers in the Hockey India League. A dynamic player, he will certainly add steel to the team’s defence.

#5 Gurjant Singh

Alongside Dipsan Tirkey and Harmanpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh was also a member of the triumphant Junior World Cup squad. One of the main strikers and players on the team, Gurjant maintained his standards when he was included in the senior team as a forward.

While his goal-scoring ability is commendable, his ability to create them is just as special with several assists to his name. Another key aspect of the speedy forward's game is his ability to pull through in crunch situations, as seen with his last-minute equaliser against South Korea in the Super 4s stage in the Asia Cup.