Why was Viren Rasquinha not taken to Doha?
Indian hockey is in turmoil, and caught in the eye of the storm is midfielder Viren Rasquinha.
For the 26 year old from Mumbai 2006 has been a year of mixed fortunes: he received the prestigious Arjuna Award, but was twice dropped from the Indian squad without justified reason.
A first choice for the Indian team since making his debut in 2002, Rasquinha took it in his stride when he was left out for the four-nation tournament in Germany in April, but came out in the open, demanding an explanation for his omission from the Doha-bound Asian Games squad.
Letting go his usual cool, the experienced midfielder slammed the Indian Hockey Federation and said there were 'vested interests' behind his ouster.
Rubbishing reports that he was dropped for lack of fitness, Rasquinha claimed that coach V Baskaran wanted him in the squad for the ongoing event in Doha, where India is badly missing his services. The team has already suffered an embarrassing defeat, going down 2-3 to China on Tuesday night.
Viren Rasquinha will appear on the Rediff Chat on Thursday, December 7, at 1600 IST. Don't miss this chance to quiz him.
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