Kolkata : The constant change of captains in the Indian hockey team is in bad taste and defies logic, feels Olympian and former captain Gurbux Singh.
The highest capped Indian player Sardar Singh, who led India to a silver in the Azlan Shah, was ‘rested’ and the baton was handed to 28-year-old goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who led the side to a historic silver in the Champions Trophy.
Sardar returned to lead in a six-nation Spain tour where India secured a solitary win and after return, Hockey India sprang a surprise naming the Kerala goalkeeper the captain for the Rio Olympics.
“It’s in a bad taste. I’m not blaming any player. But you should decide whoever it may be one year in advance for a big event like Olympics,” the 80-year-old, told PTI.
“I’m not against anyone, be it Sardar or Sreejesh. I don’t understand this logic. You just can’t put a new captain every match. But I don’t think it would affect the atmosphere. Just that the team would have looked more settled. If you had Sreejesh in mind, he should have been named captain one year in advance. Hockey India already knew that Sardar had some personal problems. I don’t understand what made them take the call at the last minute,” said Gurbux.
