"I allow my players to make decisions on the field" - PR Sreejesh sheds light on coaching style ahead of FIH Men's Junior Hockey World Cup

Four-time Olympian and Chief Coach of the Indian Juniors, PR Sreejesh, is all set to guide the Indian Colts during their FIH Men's Junior Hockey World Cup campaign. Twenty-four teams will compete for top honours in the under-21 event, which was converted from a quadrennial to a biennial tournament in 2021.

Sreejesh asserted that he allowed his players to make their own decisions on the field of play and opted to watch the proceedings from the stands while relaying all pertinent information to his assistant, Birendra Lakra, in the dugout.

The stalwart, renowned for his booming voice and aggressive stance as a goalkeeper, does not adopt similar methods with his rookies. He did, however, add that players who erred were subjected to his roaring and resonant expressions right from the stands.

"I do not yell at the players because I aim to mould them in a way so they mature well. I allow my players to make decisions on the field," Sreejesh told Sportskeeda. "Nowadays, I do not stand in the dugout. I go to the stadium and watch from there while I instruct Birendra Lakra regarding the plans and what we need to do. Of course, if a blunder happens, I can reach out to the player even from the stands," he disclosed during a press conference following the team announcement for the Junior Hockey World Cup.

With regard to India's struggles with penalty corners during the Sultan of Johor Cup, the Chief Coach observed that most teams struggled from the top of the circle owing to the nature of the ground.

"If the ground is not supportive, then things fall apart. All the teams in the Sultan of Johor Cup faced the same challenge. The boys did a good job of converting penalty corners into goals during the practise matches against the Indian Seniors. I beleive we have that area covered," Sreejesh stated.

Following Pakistan's withdrawal from the Junior Hockey World Cup, India is expected to have a relatively trouble-free route to the quarterfinals, having been drawn alongside Chile, Switzerland, and Oman (the replacement team) in Pool B.

Araijeet Singh Hundal ruled out of the FIH Men's Junior Hockey World Cup squad, Rohit to captain the side in TN

Rohit will lead the Indians at the Junior Hockey World Cup - Source: Hockey India

In what could be a big blow for the home side, India international Araijeet Singh Hundal, who dislocated his shoulder following a fall during a training session, has been ruled out of the Junior Hockey World Cup. The 18-member Indian squad for the upcoming event to be hosted by Chennai and Madurai was announced by Hockey India on Friday (November 14).

Dragflicker Rohit will lead the Indian team that finished as runners-up to Australia in the Sultan of Johor Cup in Malaysia last month.

Bikramjit Singh and Prince Deep Singh will perform goalkeeping duties for the Indian boys with the assistance of Rohit, Amir Ali, Anmol Ekka, Talem Priyobarta, Sunil Palakshappa Bennur, and Shardanand Tiwari.

Ankit Pal, Thounaojam Ingalemba Luwang, Adrohit Ekka, Rosan Kujur, Manmeet Singh and Gurjot Singh, who broke into the senior squad last year, will man the midfield for the team.

Arshdeep Singh, who impressed while playing for Hyderabad Toofans in the Hockey India League last year, will spearhead the Indian attack alongside Sourabh Anand Kushwaha, Ajeet Yadav, and Dilraj Singh.

Edited by Subhashish Majumdar