In some harsh words for two Indian hockey stars, the Indian Hockey Federation has said Dhanraj Pillay's playing days for the country are over and Gagan Ajit Singh needs to go back to the basics if he wants to make a comeback while a decision would be taken this month-end whether to remove German coach Gerhard Rach.

IHF chief K P S Gill told PTI in an interview in New Delhi that 36-year-old Pillay was a spent force now.

"Pillay's playing days for the country are over although it is good that he has decided to play in the PHL (Premier Hockey League). After 30-40 years, we have a team and not a collection of individuals. We have to build on that, whatever people may say," Gill said.

Ending ambiguity over whether Gagan Ajit, the Punjab Police forward, was dropped on form or discipline, Gill said the striker had lost his basic hockey sense.

"Gagan did not have a good season. He needs to redo his hockey, get the basics right. In the Olympics [Images], he even missed straight passes. Now that he has been dropped, it should serve as an eye-opener for him," Gill said.

"I am sorry (if players like Gagan), are not in the Indian team. I know his value goes down (if he is not in the team). All the endorsements are going into the head of Gagan. Sponsors are planting stories to bring him back into the team," he said.

Gill said the Indian team has not progressed and appeared to have gone back "strategically" after the Athens Olympics.

On whether IHF would persist with Rach, he said "we will take a decision at the IHF executive committee meeting at the end of this month."

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