I was sure to get captain’s arm band: Chetri

By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Sept 29

THE last man of the team would lead from the front. Experienced hockey goal-keeper Bharat Chetri will don the captain’s arm band when India take on New Zealand, arch-rival Pakistan and hosts Australia during their tour Down Under starting mid October.
Though it came a bit late, Hockey India’s decision to appoint Chetri as captain has definitely brought cheers in Darjeeling where the skipper’s family stays.
“They all are very happy and my cell phone is continuously ringing. My friends in Darjeeling, too, are feeling very proud,” said the new Indian captain while talking to ‘The Hitavada’.
Chetri always knew that he would lead India some day but was not expecting it so early. “I am not fully surprised. I was sure that I would get that captain’s arm band...but when I did not know. There were discussions during the team meetings and camp that captaincy would be rotated. I was sure my day would come too. So it’s not a surprise,” said an elated Chetri.
Chetri, who hails from Darjeeling but has settled in Bangalore for last 11 years, said it was good to have a new captain for every tour. “It actually helps in building a team. In this way we can read the mind of other seniors too. The seniors are playing together for more than 5-6 years and it helps in how they think and what they want from others.”
The custodian said being a goal keeper would not put added pressure on him.
“I don’t think there would be any added pressure. Being a goal-keeper actually helps. Only a goal-keeper can see all his team-mates as well as opponents’ moves. He can actually be the best guide for the team. My job would be the same.”
India will play a nine-a-side tournament in Australia which, Chetri said, would be a great fun.
“This nine-a-side is like an entertainment. It’s like IPL. It’s very different from 11-a-side game. In this format we have different rules for short corner and long corner. It would be exciting to play this format. I can’t say how much interest it would generate or how would we perform as this would be our first time. But I am sure it would be great fun,” Chetri said.
The Indian captain said the team looks strong with the return of defender Sandeep Singh and striker Sardara Singh.
“The team looks strong with the return of Sandeep, Sardara, Tushar (Khandekar), Arjun (Halappa), Vikram (Pillay). Six senior players are back which is good for us. They all are very experienced with more than 100 matches under their belt. Their presence would definitely help the team,” he mentioned.
Chetri lauded the appointment of three-time Olympian Mukesh Kumar as Indian coach. “It’s great that a player like Mukesh Kumar would be with us as a coach. He was a very good player like Mohd Riaz. Presence of such players always motivates you,” said the Canara Bank staffer.
Chetri said India’s Australian coach Michael Nobbs is a great motivator.
“When Jose Brasa was our coach we were playing European style of hockey but now we are back to our Indian style... attacking hockey. Nobbs has given us free hand to play our style of hockey. He and our fitness trainer are giving more emphasis on fitness. They are working really hard on us. Our fitness level has immensely increased. We are much fitter than what we were two months back,” Chetri stated.

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