Former Indian hockey team captain Dhanraj Pillay in Mangaluru on Sunday said the current Indian hockey team is the fittest among the Asian teams. He added that it is regularly beating Australia, the Netherlands, and Germany in major international tournaments.
Mr. Pillay was in the city to inaugurate the State-level Medalist and non-Medalist Swimming Championship ‘Swim Gala’ at Mangaluru City Corporation’s Mangala swimming pool.
Talking to reporters after the inauguration, Mr. Pillay said the national team was not this consistent in their performances 10 years ago. Today, he said, the team is more confident. The team fights till the last minute to win or to secure a draw. During the last 10 years, the national team has beaten every team in international events, including Germany, the Netherlands, and Australia, which were the best teams in world hockey.
Indian team captain Harmanpreet Singh was the best penalty corner specialist and he continues to be the top goalscorer in major championships. Apart from him, there were other specialists in the national team. After P.R. Sreejesh, national goalkeepers Krishan Pathak and Suraj Karkera were working hard. India now regularly conducts camps for goalkeepers where about 20 persons practise together. The best among the keepers gets picked up for the camp of the national team.
