HYDERABAD, Aug 13: It is hardly the best of times for Hyderabad's sportsmen. First, it was former Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin and up-coming star VVS Laxman who found themselves at the wrong end of a flawed cricket selection policy.

Now, it is the turn of international hockey star from Hyderabad, nippy right-winger Mukesh Kumar, who finds himself out of the national team for the first time since he made his debut some 10 years ago.

Not being in the list of probables for the four-nation tournament in Germany came as a surprise to Mukesh who has been an automatic choice the hockey squad all these years. He feels that this being a four-nation tournament, the selectors were more interested in grooming youngsters. Or at least, he hopes so.

``The younger players will get a chance to play against the big teams which in the long run will help them prepare for bigger tournaments like the World Cup and the Olympics.''

However, Mukesh is confident that all the six senior players who have been left out-including Dhanraj Pillay, Ashish Ballal, Shakeel Ahmed, AB Subbaiah will be considered for the coming World Cup, Asian and Commonwealth Games. He discounted fears that the best days are behind him. ``I am fitter now than ever before. And I am working harder,'' he said.

Mukesh feels that given a second chance he would prove his detractors wrong. The short break will only help him gear up mentally and physically for the battles ahead.

``For any big tournament, the team should be a blend of experience and youth. We should not repeat the past mistakes.''

Nicknamed `Nagin' for his slithering runs on the right flank, he is still considered one of the most important members of the team having scored around 80 goals in 200 internationals.

At the moment, he is not even contemplating retirement. ``I have the experience to take on the best teams in the world for another three or four years,'' he says.

But the star player agrees that the Champions Trophy in Chennai last December in which he performed poorly could have harmed his prospects.

``Every player has one bad tournament in his career. Unfortunately, mine was the Champions Trophy. I could not adjust to the new off-side rule. I was a bit confused. In fact, I was very annoyed with my performance. But I have got over it now. I have adjusted to the new rules now.''

In the MCC tournament in Chennai recently, he played as inside-right, doing a lot of running. ``I created openings and even fed good passes to other players. Even though I did not score this time,still I played one of my best tournaments in recent years. Unfortunately, we are praised only if we score. If we don't, all kinds of weird stories go around. I feel I am still goal-hungry.''

Mukesh is happy that Pargat Singh has now been made coach of the national team. ``It is good. After all, till recently, he was our captain and is well acquainted with the latest rules and has a good understanding with all the players. Moreover, there is not much age difference between him and the players,'' said Mukesh.

The coming year would be crucial for Indian hockey - what with the World Cup, Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games round the corner. And, the genial Mukesh Kumar is confident that he will still be relevant to his country's hockey future.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.