Dhanraj must be used sparingly as shock-weapon

So, we are still in the race for a place in top three despite that disappointing loss in the opening match against The Netherlands. Imagine, India could actually have been sitting on top of the table, but for that disastrous last eight minutes on the opening day of the 25th edition of the Champions Trophy here at Wagener Stadium.
India have three points from two games, while The Netherlands have six from two and Pakistan four from two matches. Argentina have three, Australia have one and Germany have yet to open their account.
But those thoughts about what happened or what could have been are best left for post-tournament analysis, at least for the team management. They should get the team to think about the present and the upcoming matches and wipe out bad memories and negative thoughts.
Let’s look at the positives. India have three points and by the closing stages of the match against Germany, the boys looked like getting into a better frame of mind. Sure the margin was slight, and things could have been closer, but the fact of the matter is the Indian team in the last ten minutes was looking positive and attacking, which is how they should play their hockey.
However, I must stress that the Indian team management should look at utilising rolling substitutions much better. It is no shame to substitute even your best player for a few minutes. After all that gives him time to relax. In modern hockey, coaches and mangers along with senior players sit together and work out to the last detail about the way they will use rolling substitution. That also unsettles the opposing team.
For instance there have been occasions in the first two games here, that Dhanraj Pillay, easily the most dangerous forward in India side, has been heavily marked. If he was asked to sit out for 10 minutes, that would upset the rhythm of the rivals and also give him time to catch his breath. Remember the Super Turf that is being used here is very fast and it increases the pace of the game.
Now coming to the match against Australia, India should look at this game as something they ‘must’ win to stay in race for honours. They go into this match with the knowledge that they have recently had good results against them and at last Champions Trophy in Cologne, India beat them 3-2. Also, Australia is not really looking formidable.
Yet, one cannot afford to be complacent. The team should weigh its strengths against those of Australia and use an effective strategy. For instance the Australians are naturally fast players and revel in pace. India can counter that by ensuring greater possession of the ball. Our aim should keep possession as much as possible for that will reduce our running for the ball.
Australia use the width of the pitch very well and their midfielders have so far shown greater skill than ours. But on the other side, Indian have had a better conversion rate in penalty-corners than Australia —something that is surprising —and our forwards have shown themselves to be in better form. Our forward line has the ability to cut through the Australian defence and score.
All said and done, this match will be played a lot in the mind also and there India should keep themselves awake all the time and not relax for even a moment.