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SV Sunil first tasted success in New Zealand when the national side visited for a series in 2009, which they won 2-0. The recent 2-1 Test series triumph in New Zealand is seen as a big lift for the Indian team given the 2016 Rio Olympics is just less than a year away. The 25-year-old Coorg lad, who played his part and even scored in the fourth and final Test, spoke on the team’s exploits in New Zealand and much more in an exclusive interview.
Excerpts:
Q Must have been highly satisfying winning the Test series against New Zealand in their own backyard, especially after losing the first Test.
We embarked on this New Zealand tour hoping to improve on areas which needed attention and we had put elaborate plans in place at the national camp in New Delhi which worked well for us. New Zealand are a good side and they are working hard to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics through the upcoming Oceania Cup so we were up against their best side. This Test series will be a big morale-booster for the team going forward. I believe we are getting better and better with each outing and that bodes well for us.
Q You were part of the national team that last toured New Zealand in 2009 for a similar four Test series and won it 2-0 – you even scored in the 1-1 draw in the first Test of that 2009 series. How much has the New Zealand team changed in these years?
They were a robust side then and now also they are a quality side. Of course, some of their players like Dean Couzins have retired, overall they are still a formidable outfit. We had to be at our best to put it across them this time around and I also have fond memories of winning the 2009 series 2-0.
Q What went wrong in the first Test, where India lost 0-2?
I don’t think we played badly as the final outcome may reflect – it is just that we made some daft errors upfront. We missed some scoring chances and that cost us dearly.
Q What did the team do differently to outsmart the Black Sticks in the next three Tests?
Well, our head coach Roelant Oltmans gave us a nice pep talk which helped. New Zealand like to attack from the right and we did well to block those sallies from the right and played our natural game, which proved beneficial for us.
Q Tell us a bit about the third Test which India won 3-2 by virtue of a final minute goal from Dharamvir Singh.
Look, we were leading 2-1 and they equalized in the final quarter. We maintained our aggression till the end, which paid rich dividends. The move created by Sardar and Manpreet was set up for Dharamvir, whose reverse hit breached the New Zealand citadel. It was an intriguing tussle and that goal was a big factor in helping us win the Test series.
Q The Indian team have now beaten two higher ranked sides in two high-voltage Test series in last one year. Your thoughts.
Beating Australia in Australia 3-0 in a Test series gave us a big lift and this win in New Zealand will pep up our spirits. Indian hockey is surely heading in the right direction.
Q How excited about the upcoming Test series against Australia in November?
We are high on confidence and there is a great deal of unity in the side. There is a positive buzz in the side and I’m sure we will give a good account of ourselves in the Australia Test series.
Q With only ten months left for the 2016 Rio Olympics, where do you see India end up with?
I think it is too early about the Olympics. The Hockey World League final in Raipur will be crucial for us as it will allow us to see where we stand on the world stage. We will get a proper picture of what to expect in the Olympics.
