Refuelling may not help Airlines

<div class="section0"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-size:="">HYDERABAD: They were supposed to be the kings of Indian hockey for one year. But Indian Airlines ended up occupying the throne for four years as the men''s Senior Nationals were not held after Jammu 2000.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">However, retaining the Major Rangaswamy Cup in the 61st Senior Nationals starting here on Thursday might prove a tough task for the nine-time champions who will be without the services of six key players including India skipper Dilip Tirkey, mercurial forward Dhanraj Pillay and Prabodh Tirkey.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">The former India captain Zafar Iqbal, GM and sports-in-charge in Airlines said "It is a difficult time for us but we are doing our best to put up a strong team and are hopeful of a good performance". The Airlines team, have their first match against Maharashtra (Pool A) early on Thursday.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">With teams like Patiala, Universities, Bihar and Maharashtra in their pool, Airlines should not find it difficult to reach the Super League. Their problems will start after that.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Besides Airlines, last edition''s runners-up Railways, traditional favourites Punjab, Services, Chandigarh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Orissa look good to clear the first two hurdles and join Air India, Punjab and Sind Bank, Namdhari XI and Indian Oil in the 12-team super league.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Starting as favourites, at least on paper, are 32 times champions Indian Railways, Indian Oil, Punjab with stars from Punjab Police doing duty for them, and Services. Any of these teams could be holding aloft the trophy on March 30 barring any major upsets.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">In all, 14 matches will be played on the inaugural day on three pitches — two at Gachibowli Stadium and one at Begumpet. However, all eyes on Thursday will be on IA and Punjab.</span></div> </div>