Even podium finish is difficult, says Dhanraj Pillay

Pillay believes it will be difficult for the Indian hockey team to finish on the podium at the CWG given their unimpressive showing

Four-time Olympian and former India captain Dhanraj Pillay believes it will be difficult for the Indian hockey team to finish on the podium at the CWG given their unimpressive showing ufffd eighth-place finish ufffd at the very same venue during the World Cup in Feb-March.

Dhanraj Pillay

"Other than the game against Pakistan, which we won 4-1, I found no strategy at all (India lost to Australia 2-5, Spain 2-5, England 2-3, drew with South Africa 3-3 and lost to Argentina) throughout the World Cup. It's only been six months since, and I don't think things would have changed much. Besides, we have teams like Australia, Malaysia and Pakistan to contend with in our pool.

I feel a podium finish is difficult," Pillay told MiD DAY.u00a0

The mercurial forward also believes that the one goalkeeper plan will leave India red-faced. "Injuries will never inform you before coming. And when they come, they throw plans and strategies out of the window. I remember Adrian D'Souza was badly injured by a Sandeep Singh penalty corner in the inaugural edition of the Premier Hockey League. We survived thereafter because we had a second goalkeeper to assist us."