India has chance to be Champions and bring Trophy

India reached the Champions trophy Hockey Final in London by default. Having to win against Australia for a berth in the final, India lost 4-2. Then they had to depend on the outcome of Britain-Belgium match that was played the last in the day. Since Britian drew 3-3 against Belgium, India could make it to the final by points tally. Even so, it goes to the credit of the Indians that they are running as fast as the Australians and others in the field. Their dribbling skills are gone. Somehow they are rooted to the ground when they need to be dynamic, especially in the D. They run on the flanks and hit the ball wild to centre. Once in a while they are lucky that they reach the ball to their man at the goal. Even when the centre is clear and they have their men unmarked in the centre, they would have none of it. They believe in flanks . Their opponents know the Indians penchant for the flanks and invariably stop the Indians' progress. So it must be said to the credit of Indian coach Roeland Oltmans that while he may not have been able to drill the dynamic skills into the Indian team he has at least made them athletic. On Friday when they take on Australia, the Indians will have to show renewed skills and an attacking strategy that will throw those from Down Under into confusion. Now that they are good in moving up and down, they will have to believe in themselves and go for attack. They should also not give away as many corners as they did against Australia in Thursday's league match. The Indians should not offer their legs so readily. They must stick out virtually: They must use the stick to play the ball rather keep it between their legs. All in all, it's great that they made it to the Finals in 2016 for the first time after the bronze in 1982.