Captaincy a chance to improve leadership qualities but focus remains on playing well: Jarmanpreet

When Jarmanpreet Singh was named the Delhi SG Pipers captain for the upcoming season of the Hockey India League, the experienced defender had his task cut out. Having finished at the bottom last year with just one win, the team brought in wholesale changes both in coaching staff and the squad.

The minimum target, this time, is a top-four finish. “We need to start with a win and maintain the momentum. When you get a leadership role, you have to hold the team together,” the 28-year-old told The Hindu..

“It’s a good opportunity for me to improve my leadership quality. I believe responsibilities increase as captain, but my main focus will be the same as when I play.”

While there are some big foreign names, Jarmanpreet is the senior-most Indian barring Rupinderpal Singh, who was picked up during the auction, in a side that has retained its faith in a core of juniors.

“The last time we lagged in our finishing with field goals so that is the important focus this year. We have a lot of good penalty corner specialists – Tomas Domene, Rupinderpal, Varun and Rohith – but our main target is field goals.

“I feel the new coach has a winning mentality, and it’s a good thing because the coach’s mentality will rub off on the players. We should do better than last time, try to come in the top four,” he added.

India is one of only three countries to begin its FIH Pro League campaign after the HIL, the beginning of a long and crucial calendar, and Jarmanpreet is aware of the demands on the body. “It is very important for a player to be responsible for his own fitness because it definitely affects your team.

“Proper rest, diet, preparations before a match and paying attention to recovery is crucial. The HIL is also important for us, we can learn a lot about the mentality and way of play of the foreign players. So getting the balance right will be the key,” he reasoned.