Report card of Indian men's hockey team’s World League campaign

Gurmail Singh: His inexperience came to the fore. Gurmail was regularly guilty of faulty clearances in defence. His mid-field play left a lot to be desired. The nerves of the big stage might have got to him. Even when he was rushing forward, he seemed to be running out of ideas.

Dharamvir Singh: The big man also had a disappointing tournament. He was not at his incisive best during the tournament and his ten minute suspension against Australia at the start of the game for arguing with the umpire was a dampener. Of course, he set up Sardar Singh for his goal against France, and later Mandeep Singh against Spain but overall a big let-down for India.

Nithin Thimmaiah: The gangling forward may not have found his name on the scoresheet but he oozed a lot of promise for the future. The fact that he got extended playing time indicates the faith Nobbs reposes in him. He looked good upfront without being devastatingly effective.

SV Sunil: He was rested for the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and the break seemed to have done a world of good to him. Sunil’s attacking moves had more purpose than before. Often considered wayward, his aimless pacy runs were a thing of the past as he used his burst of speed judiciously to deliver a telling impact on his opponents.

Akashdeep Singh: The youngster may be roundly criticized for his penalty shoot-out gaffe against Spain, but he had a decent time upfront. He showed his talent with a fine reverse hit opening goal against Ireland before coming out with a crucial equalizer against France when pressure was on India to get back on level terms.

Chinglensana Singh: He impressed with his positive energy and can be groomed for the future. The Manipuri lad dished out his goal-poaching skills when he dispossessed Kiel Brown as he was trying to make a routine clearance and sounded the board. He brilliantly set up a nice move, paving the way for Sunil to score his first and only goal of the tournament against France.

Shivendra Singh: His comeback tale seems complete. The experienced forward showed what he brings to the side when he scored a fine deflection goal against Ireland before coming up with a similar effort against Spain. The Air India striker appears to have done his bit to retain his place in the side.

Mandeep Singh: He may not have played for an extended period but he invariably made his presence felt on the pitch. The Ranchi Rhinos striker produced the crucial second half equalizer against New Zealand before coming up with a two-goal blitz in the second half against France, not to speak of his goal against Spain. He has been easily the biggest find of HLW.