How much is HIL going to benefit Indian hockey in the long run?
It is one of the best things to have happened for Indian hockey. Never before have so many Indian players got the opportunity to play in so many matches for so long. So it is not only benefiting Indian hockey, it is also helping the players. I have seen all the matches. Almost all the matches were of high intensity and high voltage. So I feel it will boost the morale of the players, especially the youngsters.
Can you name youngsters who are doing well in HIL?
Though he is already playing for India, I am really impressed with the performance of Akash Deep. Among the older players, Gurbaj Singh and SV Sunil are playing well. I think there is a good mixture of young and older players in this league.
How do you assess the response of the fans?
The fans are coming to watch the matches. They are appreciating the close contests as well. I think this is just a beginning. In the future there will be huge change in the standard of this league. And that will provide a boost to the potential of the players as well.
Will the improvement impact India's showing in international tournaments?
As I have already said, we can see the change happening because Indian players have never played for such a long stretch with and against top foreign players like Jamie Dawyer, Moritz Fuertse, etc.
Can you tell us what the speciality of Delhi team is. They have done really well in the league?
For me the USP of the Delhi Waveriders is they gel together very well. Almost all the players, whether they are from India or abroad, are equally good. They are all virtually of the same standard. There shouldn't be a huge gap in the experience of two players. For example, in the Punjab team, a few of the players are not as experienced as Jamie Dawyer is, so how can you expect them to keep pace and perform well?
Would you like to see any changes being introduced in future editions of HIL?
I would like to see more teams based in different cities playing in the league. This would allow more hockey fans to see the matches in their own cities and that will generate more opportunity for the players as well.
Would you like to see WSH players being roped in for HIL?
Yes, there were so many good players in World Series Hockey. There were so many big names who played in WSH. They should be given an opportunity to play in this league as well. Every player nurtures the desire to perform well in his chosen sport and if there are quality players who turned out in WSH, why should they be barred from playing in HIL?
It is one of the best things to have happened for Indian hockey. Never before have so many Indian players got the opportunity to play in so many matches for so long. So it is not only benefiting Indian hockey, it is also helping the players. I have seen all the matches. Almost all the matches were of high intensity and high voltage. So I feel it will boost the morale of the players, especially the youngsters.
Can you name youngsters who are doing well in HIL?
Though he is already playing for India, I am really impressed with the performance of Akash Deep. Among the older players, Gurbaj Singh and SV Sunil are playing well. I think there is a good mixture of young and older players in this league.
How do you assess the response of the fans?
The fans are coming to watch the matches. They are appreciating the close contests as well. I think this is just a beginning. In the future there will be huge change in the standard of this league. And that will provide a boost to the potential of the players as well.
Will the improvement impact India's showing in international tournaments?
As I have already said, we can see the change happening because Indian players have never played for such a long stretch with and against top foreign players like Jamie Dawyer, Moritz Fuertse, etc.
Can you tell us what the speciality of Delhi team is. They have done really well in the league?
For me the USP of the Delhi Waveriders is they gel together very well. Almost all the players, whether they are from India or abroad, are equally good. They are all virtually of the same standard. There shouldn't be a huge gap in the experience of two players. For example, in the Punjab team, a few of the players are not as experienced as Jamie Dawyer is, so how can you expect them to keep pace and perform well?
Would you like to see any changes being introduced in future editions of HIL?
I would like to see more teams based in different cities playing in the league. This would allow more hockey fans to see the matches in their own cities and that will generate more opportunity for the players as well.
Would you like to see WSH players being roped in for HIL?
Yes, there were so many good players in World Series Hockey. There were so many big names who played in WSH. They should be given an opportunity to play in this league as well. Every player nurtures the desire to perform well in his chosen sport and if there are quality players who turned out in WSH, why should they be barred from playing in HIL?
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