Hockey World Cup 2018: Start is good, need to carry momentum, says Sardar Singh
Other Sports | December 06, 2018 16:26 ISTIndia began their campaign by thrashing South Africa 5-0 and then drew 2-2 with against a strong Belgium side in Group C.
India began their campaign by thrashing South Africa 5-0 and then drew 2-2 with against a strong Belgium side in Group C.
India registered a comprehensive 5-0 win against South Africa to make a sizzling start in the World Cup.
Left out of India's squad for this year's Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Sardar sought advice from Tendulkar.
Sardar was eager to continue till the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but destiny had other plans as he called time at 32, after a disappointing Asian Games campaign where India failed to defend its title.
Sardar called time on his 12-year career on Wednesday after he was dropped from the national camp probables for the Asian Champions Trophy and the World Cup.
Sardar Singh said he made the decision after a disappointing Asian Games where India failed to defend their title and returned with a bronze medal.
The Indian hockey midfielder, who is about 4 years elder to Kohli, has set a score of 21.4 in Yo-Yo test surpassing the Indian cricket team skipper's 19.1 score.
India's chief coach Harendra Singh expressed satisfaction with his team's performance in the series ahead of the 18th Asian Games.
After the CWG failure, Manpreet was replaced by PR Sreejesh as the skipper for the last edition of the Champions Trophy.
Sardar Singh was expected to reclaim his place in the side after being included in the national training camp in Bengaluru.
Malaysia is ranked way below in the FIH charts but Manpreet Singh's side has been known to slip up when least expected, the opening game against Pakistan being a testimony to that.
Sardar's exclusion was on expected lines as he performed below-par at this year's Azlan Shah tournament.
After one loss and a draw, India are currently placed fourth in the six-team tournament with just one point, whereas, Australia are positioned atop the table with two wins from as many games.
The experienced mid-fielder exuded confidence that India can come up with a solid show in the season-opening event which also features England, Ireland and hosts Malaysia.
Sardar, who was part of India's Asia Cup-winning squad last year, has been dropped from last two tournaments - the Hockey World League Final in Bhubaneswar and last month's tour to New Zealand.
In the Asia Cup, Sardar Singh shunned his playmaker role in the midfield for young skipper Manpreet Singh and played as the 'free defender'
The Asia Cup will be the beginning of new phase in Indian hockey as it would be newly-appointed coach Sjoerd Marijne's first test post the sacking of Roelant Oltmans.
Two other key players, who were dropped for the Europe tour, forwards S V Sunil and Akashdeep Singh also made a return to the Indian Hockey team.
The squad will also see the return of seasoned pros like former skipper Sardar Singh, Sunil, Akashdeep Singh and Satbir Singh.
Javelin thrower Jhajharia is the only Indian to win two Paralympic gold medals (2004 and 2016) - while star mid-fielder Sardar Singh has been the architect of India hockey team's many victories in the last few years.
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