Scotland: With the Commonwealth Games around the corner, the Terry Walsh-coached Indian team looks at strengthening its forward line. With the likes of SV Sunil, Akashdeep, Ramandeep Singh, Nikkin Thimmaiah and now Gurwinder Singh Chandi with his quality of experience, the team is looking upbeat and confident on its outing against the opponents. 

The forward line-up of the Indian Men Hockey Team has SV Sunil (137 caps), Gurwinder Singh Chandi (97 caps), Akashdeep (41 caps), Ramandeep Singh (11 caps) and Nikkin Thimmaiah (11 caps).

Speaking on his comeback, Gurwinder Singh Chandi said, “I am happy that I am back in the Indian team and that too for a big tournament, the Commonwealth Games. Although the comeback took me one and a half years but I utilized this period to work on my game which I will be using to my strength during the Commonwealth Games.”

“The team is working hard on the forward position wherein our Chief Coach Terry Walsh is pushing us to give our best during these sessions and this has helped us to get closely weaved with each other’s style of game on the field. Australia is a pretty tough team in our Pool to compete with but we will perform at our best against every team that we play against according to the strategies prepared by our coaches. I am sure that we will be able to deliver and live up to the expectations of our fans,” he added.
 

Speaking on the forward line of the team, chief coach Terry Walsh said, “We have one of the best forward line as compared to the tournaments in the recent past. The two young players, Nikkin Thimmaiah and Ramandeep Singh who got injured before the start of the World Cup are set to make their comeback along with an experienced senior player Gurwinder Singh Chandi is a sign of added power to the our forward line. Gurwinder has good knowledge about tackling the ball in the circle and will play a key role in bringing positive results for the team.”

He further added, “I am confident that by combining the experience of these senior players, SV Sunil and Gurwinder Singh Chandi along with the opportunities created by our midfield will prove beneficial in increasing the conversion rate of the team and will produce excellent results. We still have more than a week ahead of our first game against Wales before which there are two practice games, scheduled against England and New Zealand this week, which will prove helpful in preparing the team better before commencing with matches in the tournament”
 

The Commonwealth Games will see a total of 10 teams divided into two groups. India is placed along with Wales, Scotland, Australia and South Africa in Pool - A
 

Schedule for Commonwealth Games (Men) –