In flickers’ tussle, Rupinderpal Singh fizzles

Wizards’ goalkeeper PR Sreejesh foiled Rupinderpal Singh’s efforts. HIL

Compared to the National Stadium, the Shivaji Stadium is an intimate setting. The stands are so close to the action that the players can hear the faintest whispers in the crowd. They love it though, the intimacy of it, and were looking forward to returning to the swanky venue, which for long has been hosting unglamorous domestic and local tournaments. One wonders, however, if Delhi Waveriders’ Rupinderpal Singh would have enjoyed the homecoming as much as the others. There was more to Monday’s Hockey India League match than just two heavyweight teams facing off. Purely in terms of competition within the national team’s playing XI, this was a direct match-up between the two drag-flickers, Rupinderpal and VR Raghunath of the Uttar Pradesh Wizards. Inevitably, one of them had to emerge triumphant. Unfortunately for Rupinderpal, it wasn’t to be him.

Playing opposite him were two of his national team colleagues, Raghunath and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, and India’s strategy coach Roger van Gent, who is Wizards’ coach this term. As defence partners, perhaps Raghunath and Sreejesh understand Rupinderpal’s game better than anyone else in the team. They practice drag-flick techniques and variations for hours together at camps and tournaments while Van Gent, because of his role with the national team, has enough intelligence about the threat Rupinderpal possesses as well as his variations. And it showed on Monday. Delhi earned as many as 11 penalty corners in the 60-minute affair and could convert none. They did manage a goal off the 11th, but it wasn’t a penalty corner – they passed it back to the 25-yard line and managed a field goal which counted for two.

But on the other 10 occasions, Delhi’s one-dimensional approach let them down. Out of those 10, more than half were taken by Rupinderpal but he was left frustrated by some brilliant rushing by Raghunath and some good saves by Sreejesh.

It was a rare off day for Rupinderpal, who had before Monday’s match scored six from corners. His every move was read well by the UP defence, with Sreejesh correctly anticipating each of his drag-flicks. Eventually, the missed opportunities proved costly.