Rupinder returns, more as defender, less as drag-flicker

Indervir Grewal


Rupinder Singh discusses strategies with his teammates during a practice session on Wednesday. HI

Bhubaneswar: Rupinder Pal Singh clapped a couple of times and then shouted, “come on, guys”, urging his teammates to finish the practice session. The players started post-training stretching and inadvertently formed a rough circle around Rupinder. Captain Manpreet Singh recounted an old incident about Rupinder and said: “Back then I was a kid while you were already a star.” The comment was meant to be a joke, but there is no denying that Rupinder has been one of Indian hockey’s biggest stars in the last few years. Indian fans love goal-scorers, and no one scores more than a drag-flicker. Rupinder has been India’s main penalty-corner specialist for many years now.