Karthi’s uncanny ability to swoop in on an opportunity sets him apart Premium

Selvam Karthi is the new young face making waves in the international hockey arena, employing his shooting skills to the maximum

Selvam Karthi is the new young face making waves in the international hockey arena, employing his shooting skills to the maximum. And in the process, he is providing great joy to Indian fans.

The 21-year-old striker from Ariyalur, a small district in Tamil Nadu, showed nerves of steel in the FIH Pro League in Rourkela in March.

Pitted against Olympic giants and three-time World champions like Australia and Germany, Karthi displayed his wares without a hint of pressure, tallying five goals and becoming India’s top-scorer in the league.

His peach of a goal against Australia is still being talked about. After receiving a pass from midfielder Vishnukant Singh from outside the circle, Karthi skilfully dodged past a defender and from the top of the circle, unleashed a blinder that hit the right top of the roof, giving no room for Australian goalkeeper John Durst.

“Oh oh hoo hoo,” screamed the commentator after that goal. “Selvam Karthi, that was too good, that was exceptional. His goal scoring in international hockey has been something else.”

Yes. Karthi’s goal-scoring ability has been the talk of the Pro League. His shooting prowess and the ability to sense an opportunity has come in for praise by one and all. In fact, Karthi reportedly was appreciated by none other than Durst.

He scored two goals against World champion Germany, one over Australia and a brace against New Zealand. Each strike showed his brilliance as a forward. Be it a deflection from either wing, or scoring from a difficult angle from close range, or hits from the top of the circle, Karthi has proved he has the potential to be a permanent fixture as a forward in near future.