Hockey: Rupinder Singh likens Graham Reid to his guru Ric Charlesworth

Indian hockey star Rupinder Singh on Tuesday said that he sees signs of Ric Charlesworth in the current coach of the Indian national hockey team, Graham Reid. Charlesworth, the legendary Australian coach, had a short stint back in 2008 with India as its technical advisor. On the other hand, Reid has largely been Charlesworth's understudy during his tenure as the chief coach of the champion Australian national team.

Rupinder's comments stem from the fact that the experienced campaigned has worked with almost all of India's overseas coaches which includes Charlesworth. The drag-flicker has been in and out of the national team after India’s exit from the Asian Games last year.  He was also sidelined for the World Cup last year. He returned to the national squad for the tour of Belgium, in which India defeated the world champions thrice. 

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Reid's career

As a player, Reid was top class. He was a member of the Australian team which won the silver medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He played as a defender and midfielder for the Australian national team. In coaching, Reid has worked with the Australian national team in a successful tenure and has also had a stint in the Netherlands. Reid was assigned as India’s chief coach in April 2019 for a contract that lasts till December 2020.

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Rupinder's journey

Rupinder plays as a fullback and is known for his abilities as one of the best drag flickers in the world. He represented India in the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Glasgow, 2014 Asian Games at Incheon, 2016 Olympic Games held at Rio de Janeiro and at the 2018 Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast, Australia. Since India's Asian Games disappointment last year, Rupinder has been in and out of the national team. Rupinder will be looking to regain his stature as one of the best players in the country, which had been enhanced in the Hockey India League, in which he featured for the Delhi Waveriders with much success.

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